#the panel gilt-edged

[salderi]

Korean School

19th century

A leopard, two tigers and a magpie

Jakhodo

watercolour, silk, gilt

the panel gilt-edged and now laid on a green patterned silk ground

framed 124.5cm. by 82cm.

4 3/4in. by 2ft. 8 1/4in.

[fashionsfromhistory]

Knitted Jacket

c.1630-1670

Italy

This waistcoat is a rare example of early 17th century informal dress, which never appears in visual images and with few references in inventories and accounts. References to these garments in wills and wardrobe accounts show that they were worn by both men and women. They seem to have been produced in workshops, knit in ensembles of shaped pieces for the fronts, backs and sleeves. One of the latest references to them appears in a London paper of 1712 reporting the theft of 'a green silk knit waistcoat with gold and silver flowers all over it, and about fourteen yards of gold and silver lace thick upon it.' Similar jackets have survived in many parts of Europe and it is assumed that they came from one centre of production - Italy seems most likely as silk yarns were most easily obtainable there. It is possible that the knitted pieces were stitched together by the purchaser.

The waistcoat is hand knit with coral pink silk and yellow silk wrapped with silver-gilt thread. It is constructed of five shaped panels, one for the back, one each for the two fronts and the sleeves. The seams are hand-sewn with silk thread and the whole garment is lined with blue linen. A series of regular holes along the front edges of the lining on each front edge suggest that it originally fastened with silk ribbons and metal points. It was once thought that these waistcoats were produced on the early versions of the knitting frame. However research has shown that the frame was not developed enough in the early 17th century to produce purl stitches or such a fine gauge. Each panel of knitting bears a pattern of stylised scrolling floral motifs worked in yellow silk on coral. These may have been inspired by the designs of woven silks. A very similar pattern can be seen on knitted waistcoats in the Royal Ontario Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museum der Stadt in Ulm. The design is further delineated by the use of reverse stocking stitch against a ground of stocking stitch. A border of basket stitch (squares of purl and stocking stitch) edges the lower hem and wrists. The knitting is very fine, about 17 stitches per inch.

The Victoria & Albert (Accession number: 807-1904)

[thebeautifulbook]

THE HOLY BIBLE (1682)

English, late 17th century. Blueblack goatskin elaborately gold-tooled with red and citron onlays. Panel with citron cornerpieces and red centrepiece with citron oval in middle, surrounded by flowers and leaves within border roll. All edges gilt with foreedge painting of flowers surrounding the text, “Search the Scriptures, 1692’.

Held by The Bodleian Library, Oxford.

source

[fab-bladesmith]

A Roundel Dagger, late XVth century.

Commission work.

This one was an attempt at making a dagger after the amazing wood panels from the Studiolo of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino - works of wonder in the Art of Woodworking.

But as realistic as they can be, there was still a few hurdles to ocercome, as for example the dagger depicted there doesn't show any separation between the mouth of the scabbard and the top of the guard roundel, or as the handle appears unrealistically short.

But careful examination, cross-referencing with other period artwork and a bit of experience allowed to reach this result, which I hope you'll appreciate.

The blade itself has hollow flats, with a strong back and a sharp, sharp edge. It is of sandwich construction, with modern high carbon steel between two old iron layers ; the same old iron was used for the roundels, which are hollow. The guard roundel is made with a hidden plate between the top disc, inserted from the tang, and the bottom disc, cut to fit the blade section.

This old metal shows a nice, uneven texture.

The grip is boxwood, with fileworked, gilt steel fittings.

The vegetable tanned leather scabbard was hand-decorated so as to match that of a sword owned by the customer, which is said to be Federico's very own.

And there's silk too.

Overall length is about 43 cm, with a 305 mm blade - I followed the recommendations of Maestro Philipo di Vadi for that (its length being enough for the blade to cover slightly more than my forearm), as the Pisan Master offered his treatise to Federico's own son Guidobaldo - about 9 mm thick at its base.

It weighs 340 grams, and the point of balance is at the guard.

The spherical chappe end is gilt too, echoing the one on top of the dagger.

[whencyclopedia]

Oheka Castle

Oheka Castle, built by the industrialist Otto Herman Kahn (l. 1867-1934), is one of the best-known luxury hotels of Long Island, NY, USA today. In its time as a private residence, it was the site of the kind of lavish parties which inspired the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel The Great Gatsby and continues to offer that same experience.

You step into the immense expanse of the foyer and there's the Grand Staircase ahead, wrought iron railings gracefully curving up from the stone landing on which fresh flowers rest on a marble altar. Your footsteps echo loudly across the stone floor and again up the steps to the second floor where a long carpet-runner muffles them as you pass by paintings of various sizes on the walls and statuary on pedestals, all quietly bathed in soft golden light.

Halfway down the hall, you open the door on your left and walk into a room ornately decorated with a silk embroidered couch beneath a gilt-edged mirror, flowers in a vase on a marble pedestal. Sunlight streams in through the window on the far wall and you move past the receiving vestibule with the couch to the bedroom area, draw back the drapes, and look down upon the manicured gardens and fountains. Off beyond the gardens you see Long Island Sound, and, in the silence, you can hear the deep booming of the ship’s engines and the long, low bellow of a tug's horn.

If you feel yourself a character in The Great Gatsby, well, you are not far off. Fitzgerald's novel is set on the so-called Gold Coast of America in the 1920s - the area of Long Island, NY where the wealthy elite built their summer homes between c. 1900 and 1920. Many of the most famous names - Vanderbilt, Phipps, Woolworth - had grand estates here and some have been preserved and are open to the public for tours. The one you have walked into is different from the rest in a number of ways, however, and, most notably, you can stay there. You are in Oheka Castle, formerly the home of investment banker and philanthropist Otto Herman Kahn which, today, is a luxury hotel in Huntington.

Time Travel to the 1920s

Although famously known as a "castle" the building is actually an early 20th-century French-style Chateau designed by the famous Olmstead Brothers Firm (which included Frederic Law Olmstead, the architect who designed New York City's Central Park) who also planned the intricate lawns and gardens. Originally an estate of 433 acres, the site is now comprised of only 23, most of it a golf course, though the French gardens and much of the statuary of the original estate remains.

A weekend at Oheka Castle is time travel back to the 1920s. The owner, Gary Melius, has carefully renovated and preserved the building to reflect the interests and tastes of the original owner. Vintage artwork hangs on the walls and one passes by statues and busts of Socrates, Plato, Epictetus, and Epicurus in the second-floor hallway. Walking down the winding back staircase from the second floor to the bar you feel like Gatsby about to throw another of his famous parties. The wood-paneled library, shelves lined with volumes, looks out through floor-to-ceiling French doors onto the gardens and the lawn and you cannot shake the feeling that Hemingway or Gertrude Stein or T.S. Eliot could stroll into the room any moment.

We were there for a wedding for which we would be staying the weekend and arrived on a Friday. Guests are encouraged to enter through the main gate though one can also access the grounds through a back road. A gatekeeper radios one's arrival and opens the gates. The drive up to the parking lot is impressive enough, passing manicured hedges, statues, carefully cultivated ivy on the archway, but once you pull in to the spacious parking lot, the impression of the hotel is stunning. Oheka is a commanding presence and even before you set foot inside you understand you are experiencing something exceptional.

On this trip, as on most, my wife Betsy and daughter Emily were along, and we all experienced the same sensation of stepping back in time as soon as the high wooden front doors were opened for us and we set foot in the foyer. The lighting from an opulent chandelier high overhead and wall sconces illuminates the grand hall in a soft blush of gold as from candles or oil lamps.

After checking in at the small office just inside the door, we were directed to our room on the second floor and took the ancient elevator up. It should be kept in mind that one is staying in a vintage hotel and the elevator will not operate at maximum 21st-century speed. Remember, you have stepped back in time; everything moved a little more slowly in the 1920s. The elevator opened on the long hallway decorated with artwork and sculpture under soft lighting, noted above.

Our room, previously described, was spacious with bathroom en suite complete with a vintage claw-foot tub and modern shower. There is a television and telephone in the room, neither of which we used, and WIFI is available and password-protected for guests. Modern amenities are never our priority when travelling, however, as we always opt for the time-travel experience in full when we can. Gazing out the window of our room down at the intricate gardens, fountains, and statues under the high blue canopy of a June sky, I thought of the original owner and the people of the past who had stood where I was standing.

Continue reading...

[ltwilliammowett]

A Marcolini Meissen blue-ground covered portrait cup and saucer, circa 1800-1810

The cup reserved with a gilt-edged oval panel painted in sepia with a half-length portrait of Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. The saucer with a similar circular panel depicting a naval engagement.

[kenobi-general]

trust you | anakin skywalker: episode XIII

Summary: They're fighting Grievous, again. Anakin and Obi-Wan team up for a trade. Or at least that's what they told the general.

Warnings: Death, mentions of blood

Word count: 4k

⋆⭒˚.⋆🪐 ⋆⭒˚.⋆

NO POV:

Anakin looked over to his side and glanced at Obi-Wan, both sitting beside each other in the cockpit, while his former Master fidget over the navigation computer. Even though he looked calm, the younger Jedi couldn’t help but notice how harsh his features looked. Anakin’s lips were formed on a thin line, there was a dreadful feeling of not knowing if the mission was going to work or not. 

Cal was in the back, examining his weapons, making sure they were all ready, his ginger hair was slightly disheveled. All while (Y/N) was sitting on a crate, carefully watching her friend. They haven’t really talked to each other ever since the last heated conversation they had, and going on a mission together wasn’t making it any easier for her. 

Now, Obi-Wan Kenobi was not the kind of man who fidgeted. Always the balanced, disciplined and steady Jedi, this time he couldn’t stop poking switches, checking coordinates, adjusting every control button. From his side, he could sense his former apprentice almost burning holes through his skull, narrowing his eyes as he tilted his head. 

“You know, Obi-Wan, usually I’m not the one obsessed making sure everything runs smoothly, but you sure are overexaggerating here.”

“I simply want to ensure that we don’t drop out of hyperspace directly on top of Grievous’ fleet. I still believe in being cautious.”

Anakin rolled his eyes and smirked at the same time “And the way you’re poking at that panel isn’t at all a sign that you’re a little on edge?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about” He smiled as soon as he turned to look at the boy with a calm expression. 

“You keep telling yourself that” He pushed. 

“Arrival is only in a few minutes. Once we land, we move quickly and quietly through the lower sinkhole tunnels. We cannot alert Grievous before we’re ready.” 

From the back, Cal nodded and fixed his lightsaber on the strap of his belt, finally throwing a glance at his friend. He could sense her nervousness and the way she felt uneasy was kind of bothering him “You good?”

She rolled her shoulder and took a deep inhale, looking up at him “Not really. But I volunteered, so I’m going to help as much as I can.” 

They exchanged a look, and he could feel his heart almost skyrocketing at the way she kept her gaze at him. He cursed himself and Anakin, he didn’t want to admit he had feelings for her. Cal just couldn’t accept he was in love with his best friend, knowing his jealousy is the cause of their distancing. 

“You have our back, we’ll be looking out for you.” 

As soon as the ship entered the atmosphere, they felt the rattling of it, landing next to the tunnel they were about to walk in. 

“Hey, you know” Poe speaks up from his comm “I’ve been thinking. If I survive this mission, I might just retire and open up a nice little shop. Maybe a diner. I’ll call it ‘Poe’s Place’”

Finn snorts dryly, and they could hear a small commotion through their comlink “Is that really the time for jokes, Poe?”

He doesn’t care that no one likes when he makes jokes, it’s his defense mechanism when he’s nervous. He could almost hear Anakin letting a small imperceptible chuckle, not really sure it was real. 

“Did I just hear Skywalker chuckle at my joke?” 

“If I make it through this mission, I think I’ll need more than just a good snack. You better not give up on the idea, we need fuel to keep ourselves standing” Anakin spoke through his comm, adjusting the gilt of his lightsaber, looking over at Obi-Wan “Let’s do this.”

Cassian and Jyn were the first ones to leave their starfighter. The wind howled through the eerie atmosphere of Utapau. The team was hiding in the shadows, waiting for their call after debriefing the plan, rehearsing each detail. Standing at the forefront, Anakin scanned the cavern intensely gazing at it, his ragged breath almost echoed through the place. His hands were unsteady and he focused on every small sound surrounding the area. Obi-Wan stood behind him, one hand up on his shoulder, as both of them stayed alert for any incoming, channeling their senses. 

Cal kept (Y/N) in front of him, his blaster in one hand as he used the other one to hold the datapad as the screen displayed the signal of the approaching ships. It was him. 

“They’re coming in” 

At the far side, Cassian also scanned the place, his eyes didn’t miss a single detail, and his usual quiet intensity was matched by his readiness. He had never worked with the team before, but the man earned the respect of everyone after his fight with Jyn to destroy the Death Star. The woman next to him checked her blaster, sharing a look with him before staying on command. 

Now that they’re finally in Utapau, Poe was on his seat, hovering his hand over the yoke of the control panel, ready to fight them. They were gliding over the air from a far distance, waiting for the call to explode the cargo for the fake trade. 

Anakin still kept his eyes wandering at the dark horizon, right where Grievous’ fleet was expected to come from. He could feel the weight of the mission pressing down on him, there was this ingrowing pound in his skull, a pressure that was making his eyes strain. He heard (Y/N) shift slightly, her hand resting on her blaster. He knows she’s calm, but this time there was something she was carrying and it made him feel uneasy. 

She raised an eyebrow, placing her soft hand over his shoulder “You alright?” 

He looked over his shoulder down at her, his brows furrowing with something unreadable “Just… focusing. Trying not to overthink” 

“You know what they say, overthinking gets people killed” She watched as he chuckled lightly. The rumble his chest made could be heard from how silent the place was. 

Everything seemed very odd to him. Not just the interaction, but the deep feeling that something might go wrong in this mission, that something might happen and he won’t be able to prevent it. He couldn’t feel his fingertips, and the light buzz in his ears was the signal that they had finally arrived. Obi-Wan stood beside him, exchanging a look with him, both knowing that it was the moment. 

“Signal's coming in” Poe’s voice emerged through the comms. “Grievous’ ship is just on the horizon.”

“Steady,” Obi-Wan replied, his tone calm. 

Anakin’s fingers brushed against the hilt of his lightsaber, but he held back from igniting it. It wasn’t time. Not yet. The moment had to be perfect. The fake trade vessel drew closer, and the unmistakable sound of droid fighters began to echo through the cavern. Grievous’ forces were approaching, just as expected. Anakin’s grip tightened on his saber hilt, but he stayed still, watching. Cassian walked (Y/N) out along with Jyn, setting around the perimeter, while Poe and Finn watched the area from up high. 

The figure of the cyborg igniting his red lightsabers could be seen from afar, and Anakin could feel the tension the more Grievous stepped closer to him and Obi-Wan. 

“You know, General" Anakin took a step forward "this deal might actually benefit you for once. A clean trade, no tricks. We both get what we want."

“Because you don’t have many options. The war isn’t turning in your favor, General. You need resources, and we’re offering them” Obi-Wan crossed his arm, bringing all the attention to himself

The cyborg let out a wheezing laugh “Skywalker, do you take me for a fool? The Jedi have never dealt in good faith. What makes you think I would trust you now?”

“Kenobi” Grievous sneered “I must admit, I never expected to see you crawl out of whatever hole you’ve been hiding in. After all, it’s easier to survive when you run, isn’t it?”

“And yet here I stand, while Dooku, Ventress, and so many others have fallen. You must find that frustrating, General” He pressed. 

Grievous let out a low growl “You will not escape this time, Kenobi. I will enjoy watching your bones break”

“You do talk a lot for someone who’s lost to me every time we’ve met.”

The cyborg felt his limbs tensing, towering himself over both Jedi “And what... exactly... do you expect in return?”

“Just a little information. Strategic movements. Locations. Nothing you can’t spare. After all, you’re winning... aren’t you?” Anakin smirked as he mocked him “You can play the prideful warrior all you want, but you and I both know how this ends if you don’t take the deal. We both walk away with something valuable, or you risk losing it all.”

While the Jedi tried to keep Grievous occupied, (Y/N) moved carefully through the corridors, tracing the walls as Cassian walked slowly behind her. She started to think the mission was going smoothly, too smooth for her liking. Looking over the modified data slicer in her hands, the screen displayed the downloading information from the control panels. 

“If this thing has a self-destruct sequence, I swear, I will lose my mind” She muttered under her breath.

While the intel downloaded the data, (Y/N) popped the panel open and stared at the mess of wires inside it. She fidget with the circuits, figuring out a way to sabotage the navigation system, disabling the emergency stabilization, rerouting the thruster controls and programming the ship to make it look like it has enough fuel. She unplugged the device from the panel and rushed back the way she came, feeling her heart pound against her chest, listening to the chaos that erupted outside the ship. Cassian and Jyn were behind her, taking cover as they blasted through the corridors, firing at the battle droids. 

“You just had to mess with the controls, didn’t you?” Jyn glared at her, ducking right as a bolt hit the metal wall next to her head. 

(Y/N) shouted back, managing to fire her blaster at another droid “Hey, you’re welcome! That ship isn’t going anywhere now! You two wanted a way to slow Grievous down, and I delivered.”

“Yeah, but now they know someone’s been messing with their systems” Cassian covered for her, peeking around the corner. 

She retorted, replacing the power cell of her blaster “That was kind of inevitable. Now, can we focus on the whole getting out of here alive thing?”

Cassian tapped his comm to reach out to the others "Poe, Finn, if you have an exit strategy, now would be a great time to share. We’re getting pinned down here”

Finn was the first to speak up “We see you on the scanners. Hang tight, we’re cutting through the east corridor now. Can you hold out for another minute?”

The captain exchanged a look with Jyn “No promises, but we’ll try” 

(Y/N) gritted her teeth, cursing her own idea of helping them out. They were getting close, but the battle was getting worse. 

The team was moving quickly, blasting at their targets with precision. Anakin was a blur of motion, streaking his lightsaber, deflecting the blaster bolts as he moved with intensity. He couldn’t stop worrying about (Y/N), but he had to try focusing. Obi-Wan was effective just like him, striking the battle droids deliberately. 

“Keep pushing forward!” Obi-Wan called the others out. 

Poe and Finn were firing shots at the incoming battle droids from above “This is going well” He ironized through the chaos “I’ve got a few droids left on my six. Need some help!”

“I’ve got you covered” Cal called out over his comm, slashing through a few droids that lined up on the ground. His green lightsaber glowed bright as he moved as he took down the enemies without effort. 

Alongside Cassian, (Y/N) was trying to fire her blaster without missing her shots like she did every time. She didn’t need to think, her darted between enemies, each movement calculated to keep her from being taken by surprise. The man beside her weaved between formations for cover “We need to keep pushing, or we’ll never get to Grievous in time. I’ll lead the way.”

Anakin could feel the pressure building even though they were still pushing forward. Grievous’ footsteps could be heard through the cavern, and it was impossible to ignore his presence as his lightsaber hummed while he slashed every junk the Jedi threw at him. 

“I’ll take care of Grievous” Anakin’s voice was tight with determination, but Obi-Wan shook his head. 

“Not without me!”

“We’re not leaving anyone behind. Let’s go” Cal was already moving in the same direction. 

Anakin only had time to look back over his shoulder, flicking his eyes over the ginger boy. There had been tension between them ever since their last confrontation. Cal knew he had been a pain in the ass lately, and he knew the curly haired man was right about his feelings. Cal watched as he stepped beside him, blocking an incoming shot before taking down a droid. 

“You still mad at me, or are we calling a truce?” He asked, eyes focused on the fight. 

He didn’t answer immediately as he struck a commando droid, shoving it back with his force “I still think you’re unhinged. And you take too many risks.”

“And I still think you like her.”

Cal scoffed but didn’t deny it. Instead, he gave a small nod “But you’re good at what you do. And right now, I could use the backup.”

“Glad to hear it. Let’s finish this” He spun his saber and launched himself forward. 

As soon as they stepped forward, Anakin’s lightsaber was already blazing “We’re not too late, Grievous. We’re just getting started”

“You think you can defeat me so easily?” He snarled, whirring his limbs as he struck with speed. Grievous spun, flashing his four lightsabers “I’ve fought Jedi before. You’re nothing more than flies in my web”

Obi-Wan and Cal helped Anakin with their assault, moving in sync as they tried to overwhelm him with speed. But his metallic body moved like a predator. Cal pressed forward, clashing against one of Grievous’s blades. Every strike was met with a deafening clang, the force of the hits sending shockwaves through their bodies. Suddenly, the cyborg stepped back and forced his lightsabers together, making Anakin stumble back. He reached out with his powerful mechanical arms and grabbed Anakin by the neck, lifting him off the ground with ease. Anakin’s feet kicked in the air as Grievous’s grip tightened.

“Let him go!” Obi-Wan shouted, stepping towards his opponent. 

“You’re too late” He pressed, red eyes glowing at Anakin “You should have stayed away, Jedi. You’ve lost this time.”

Anakin narrowed his eyes and twisted his body in anger, using his force to push Grievous back, sending him flying back to the stone walls. He recovered quickly, standing up again “Impressive, Skywalker. But it won’t save you.”

The three jedi continued to press the attack, but it only made them become defensive. Cal knew they couldn’t keep up this level of intensity forever, but he wasn’t about to let Grievous escape. All the while, Poe and Finn struggled to cover the others, shooting down the droid who were trying to regroup. Cassian, Jyn, and (Y/N) were holding their ground too, fighting off any reinforcements that came their way. Cassian, (Y/N), and Jyn sprinted down the narrow corridors of the ship, the alarm blaring behind them. 

They rushed out onto the landing platform, running towards the nearest exit, while the battlefield outside still raged. 

“We’re almost there!” Jyn shouted, glancing back to make sure (Y/N) was keeping up.

(Y/N) pushed forward. Her chest was heaving “I told you, messing with the controls was a good idea.”

Cassian looked over her with a smirk in his lips, about to respond when a metallic dropped in front of her after landing. Grievous stood stall against them, his yellow eyes locked at theirs. 

Cassian and Jyn immediately raised their blasters, but Grievous was faster. He sweeped his arms, knocking both of them to the side. The captain grunted and gritted his teeth over the pain as Jyn rolled to the ground. (Y/N) couldn’t even react before he closed his fist around her arm, yanking her off the ground, making her kick and struggle.

“Let her go!” Cassian snarled, pushing himself up, his blaster raised again.

Grievous only laughed, his mechanical lungs wheezing. "Foolish Rebel. You are of no concern to me. But she… She is the one I should be worried about this time”

Cassian felt his muscles tensing, hesitation rushing over him as his mind raced for a solution. But Grievous walked back to his ship, disappearing with (Y/N) in his grip. Cassian clenched his fists, rage and frustration burning in his chest as he watched the cyborg disappear with their friend.

As soon as the cyborg reached the cockpit, he caught up on her sabotage too quickly. 

“You thought you could sabotage my ship and simply walk away? You are gravely mistaken” He hissed and tightened his metallic hands.

She tried to look unfazed, straightening up. But her voice wavered at her response “It wasn’t personal. I just wanted to make sure you'd have a sort of delay”

“Delay? You’ve caused me far more than that. Now, you will pay the price.”

At that moment, Anakin’s focus snapped sharply at the ship, his mind becoming hazy as he could feel the danger, stilling as he reached out through the force and realized it was (Y/N). The name echoed through his mind like a scream, and with it came an overwhelming sense of dread. His breath hitched his throat, the sharp feeling of her fear could cut through the hair and he knew. He knew she was exposed. 

He felt his heart racing as he scanned the horizon, his body immediately jolting forwards rushing to her. Pushing through the chaos, he blew the battle droids with his force, taking each step harshly on the ground. He could hear the echo of Grievous' menacing laughter in his mind as he fought, the sound urging him to find (Y/N). 

“You will make an excellent prize, young one. And your fate will be a reminder to anyone else who dares cross me” He threatened. 

(Y/N) narrowed her eyes, feeling trapped inside this ship like it was a cage. He was ready to activate his lightsaber when he raised his hand, but a force energy hit him from the side, making him jolt backwards. Anakin appeared and ignited his saber, focused on Grievous and her.

“Let her go, Grievous”

“Ah, Skywalker. Always late to the party. You will find this will be your last mistake” His eyes glared at the Jedi, and they clashed their lightsabers. Anakin would flicker his eyes over (Y/N), who was still struggling in the cyborg’s grip. 

“Don’t even think about it. You’ll have to kill me before you can save her, Jedi” He spat. 

Time started to slip away and (Y/N) felt her life at stake with each passing second. The battle between Grievous and Anakin intensified. The standoff was tense, and in that moment, time seemed to slow. Anakin’s mind raced, there had to be a way to save (Y/N). They couldn’t let her be taken. Just as Grievous prepared to retreat, dragging (Y/N) with him, a voice cut through the tension.

“Let her go, Grievous.”

It was Cassian.

Without hesitation, he rushed into action. He charged forward, weaving through the fight with a speed that was almost unexpected for someone of his usual tactical demeanor. He reached for his blaster but quickly realized that it wasn’t enough. He needed to get closer.

From behind him, Jyn shouted but it was too late. He was already halfway to get to Grievous. The cyborg turned just in time to see the man coming, but he was too quick. In a movement, Cassian reached him and pulled forward, throwing a grenade at him. In that split second of distraction, Cassian grabbed (Y/N), yanking her away from Grievous' grasp. But he wasn’t going to let her go that easily, so he swung one of his lightsabers toward Cassian, slashing through his side with rage. 

Cassian’s breath hitched, but he didn’t stop. He shoved (Y/N) behind him, his hand gripping the blaster that was now holstered on his side, aiming at Grievous.

“You won’t get away with this” His voice was straining, and he stood his ground, even though he was injured. 

Grievous snickered “Foolish”

Anakin’s heart skipped a beat as he watched the scene unfold. Cassian, wounded, was standing between Grievous and (Y/N). But before any of them could react, Grievous struck again. With a swift motion, he struck Cassian with one of his lightsabers, the red blade piercing through the side of his body. He let out a grunt of pain, but his expression remained focused. His hand dropped the grenade he was holding, and it rolled a few inches towards Grievous’ feet. A moment later, a second explosion blew in the cavern, sending Grievous stumbling backward. The blast knocked the cyborg off his balance for just a moment.

The captain dropped to his knees, blood staining his shirt immediately. His breath became shallow, but he never left his gaze at Grievous. 

“Cassian, no–” (Y/N) tried to reach for him, her hands trembling and her eyes were wide in shock. 

“You’re not… alone” Cassian muttered, his voice barely audible “I’m… fine…”

She didn’t have time to escape, and Anakin was too absorbed in his mind to recover and run out of there. Grievous watched Cassian’s lifeless body, glancing at both of them. 

“No one takes one of ours!” Anakin sneered, his lightsaber blazing again as he felt Obi-Wan and Cal rushing right behind him “You’ll pay for this, Grievous”

“Pay? You think you can stop me, Jedi? You’re too weak, too slow” He scoffed. 

He launched himself at Anakin, spinning his blades towards the Jedi. Obi-Wan and Cal attacked from the sides, their sabers flashing as they tried to corner the cyborg general. He fought precisely, his movements guided by rage. Anakin felt a surge of rage again, his vision started to become blurry as he knew what was about to happen again. Obi-Wan took a step forward, aiming a strike at Grievous, but he was still too fast. He spun around, knocking Obi-Wan’s saber out of the way with one of his own, and then used his mechanical legs to push Cal back.

“You think you’ve beaten me?” He snarled. 

The general was moving fast, pulling her away from the Jedi and towards the closest exit. Obi-Wan rushed towards them, but Grievous was already at the threshold, glancing back at the Jedi as he jumped onto a waiting vehicle. He held (Y/N) tightly against him as he activated the engine. 

Anakin stood frozen for a moment, his chest heaving as he tried to process what had just happened. They didn’t win, that’s for sure, and he could feel the bitter taste of defeat in his mouth. She got taken. (Y/N) was gone. Obi-Wan stood beside him, stunned just like him. 

“We’ll get her back. We always do”

His words just hung in the air. They failed, again. He failed, again. 

“Anakin..." he began softly, but Anakin was already walking away, his mind clouded with the aftermath of the fight. 

“Don’t” He warned his former master, his voice filled with bitterness and regretfulness “I don’t want to hear it, Obi-Wan. I told you. I told you this would happen.”

He stopped in his tracks, carrying a pained expression over his face. There was nothing else to say. Anakin knew he couldn’t trust him that much anymore, but he had to try, he had to give Kenobi the benefit of the doubt. 

“This is all your fault” His chest was tight, and there was a weight of everything pressing down on him. .

He walked back to the ship, his feet stomping against the floor as he balled his fists tightly. There was a lump in his throat that he couldn’t swallow down. His eyes were still hazy with rage, and the moment Poe and Finn stepped into the scattering battlefield, they saw it. They have never seen the yellow eyes before. 

As soon as they tried to approach Anakin, he pushed them back with the force, both of them lurching backwards to the floor.

@anakinsfavwife @himesuedi @kingdomhate @cl0esblogg @littlecoffeenerd @readingthingsonhere @js-favnanadoongi @twilightzone24 @crumblekitty @lacebird @throughparisallthroughrome

[thatshowthingstarted]

Sword (jian) and scabbard, probably made in the court workshops of the Yongle Ming Emperor. Chinese, Ming Dynasty, early 15th century.

The hilt is of gilt iron. The grip is of gibbous rectangular section, punched with small circles to imitate ray skin. Down the centre of the front is a raised spine bordered by tiny flames at either side.

The pommel is of trilobed form, bordered at the front and rear by bands of golden scrolls. The front panel of the pommel is chiselled and fretted with a dragon surrounded by interlacing flames, with triple claws on each paw. At the rear of the pommel, the central panel is decorated with a monster mask (kirtimukha), surmounted by a silvered crescent and golden disc, and with human hands, also surrounded by flames. At either side of the pommel are the Eight Buddhist Emblems of Good Augury (ba jixiang): the wheel of law (dharma), the standard, the treasure jar, the pair of fish, the endless knot, the lotus, the parasol and the conch shell of victory.

The guard is embossed in the form of a monster mask, surmounted by a silvered crescent and golden disc. The face is punched with circles, the canine teeth silvered, the eyebrows and whiskers chiselled and gilt. The horns are in the form of crab claws. At either side of the mouth is a paw in the form of a human hand. The head is surrounded by scrolling curls of mane. The rear of the guard is rendered as the underside of the jaw, with a set of silvered teeth, and a narrow beard running into a throat of alternate silvered and gilt bands.

The blade is associated but is probably a later replacement of Tibetan manufacture. It is formed of pattern-welded steel, of diamond section, straight and double edged. The pattern welding produces a mirrored pattern of addorsed crescents at either side of the medial ridge. The tang is of rectangular section, tapering towards the pommel, with a large expanded peg-hole towards the end. The edges have been ground and sharpened.

The scabbard is of wood covered in green stained leather and bound with gilt iron. At the throat is a V-shaped cut out at the front for seating the blade, and a scalloped cut-out in the leather to accommodate the guard. The throat retains traces of the scarlet silk with which it was lined. The iron binding comprises a long, facetted strip running all the way round either edge.

There are eight transverse bands at the rear, the uppermost and fourth of which are wider than the others, and extend round the front of the scabbard forming suspension loops. The edging strip has four main facets, with an additional narow facet at either side. It is decorated with scrollwork in gold running down each facet, and matching that on the pommel. At either end is a set of three golden lotus leaves.

The front panel is divided stylistically into upper and lower sections. The upper section is decorated quite plainly; a series of five beaded transverse bands divide it into six sections, and there are three vertical bands of fretted four-petalled rosettes in each section.

At the throat is a cusped section with a beaded border, below which is a band of flames. The ornate lower section has six smaller segments, divided vertically and horizontally by fretted 'vajras', each with a 'yinyang' symbol in the central knop. The half-'vajras' at either side emanate from the heads of lions, and the vertical bands of decoration at either side are formed by rows of flames.

Above and in the middle of these divisions are two square panels, each containing a cusped lozenge shaped central medallion, the corners decorated with interlacing flames. The uppermost of these two panels contains two dragons intertwined amid flames, with the heads at top right and bottom left; the lower has two similar dragons, with thicker bodies, and with their heads confronted at the left and right.

The chape section is decorated with a large panel of interlacing flames, within a beaded border. At the rear of the scabbard, the upper band is decorated with alternating gold and silver scrollwork, and terminates in a rosette at the front. The next two narrow bands are decorated with silver scrollwork only. The fourth is decorated at the rear like the top one, but is extended accross the front in a broad band; it is chiselled with four medallions decorated with gilt characters on silver grounds, and surrounded by interlacing gilt flames. The three lower bands are decorated in gold scrollwork.

The rear chape panel has a small, flat piece of rather coarse, scrolling interlace at the bottom, and narrow bands of petalled rosettes at either side.

A four character Tibetan inscription on the lower suspension loop reads 'khi'u ga ral gri' (honourific sharp sword).

China, 15th century (About 1420),

Leather, Ferrous, Gold, Silver, Semi-precious stone, Silk, Wood,

Dimensions:

Blade Length: 30 inches

Overall (sword) Length: 35 inches

Courtesy: Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, United Kingdom

Sword (jian) and scabbard, probably made in the court workshops of the Yongle Ming Emperor. Chinese, Ming Dynasty, early 15th century.

[historical-closet-raider]

Happy Floral Friday🌹

This ca.1830 nursing day dress is from the V&A collection.

I'm super into anything that looks like Grandma's curtains at the moment.

Anyway...

Here's the Physical description from the V&A website:

"Day dress hand-made from block-printed cotton and lined with cotton. Cut and constructed for nursing.

The dress has a shallow wide neckline and long sleeves which are full at the sleevehead and tapers towards the wrist. The sleeve ends are finished with self-cuffs which are cut to wrap over and form a diagonal line, which is trimmed along the outside edge with six tiny gilt-metal, non-functional buttons. The cuffs fasten with hooks and eyes. The front panels of the bodice are decorated over the breasts with a pair of horizontal self-pleats which meet in a V-shape at the centre front. The dress has a slightly raised waist and a full bell-shaped skirt which is gathered into the waist. The hem of the skirt is trimmed with a deep self-flounce. The bodice has a loose panel which could be unfastened at the waist and lifted for nursing. The design of the print sets boldly drawn flower stems, which include marigolds, heather and valerian rendered in pink, yellow, green and indigo, on a vivid madder ground. The fabric was probably printed with indigo and madder by the 'Turkey red' resist process and overprinted with yellow to form orange and green."

[paletapessoal]

Peshwaz, late 18th century to early 19th century, India

Fine muslin ground with decoration in applied tinsel, spangles and foil. The peshwaz was made for a small wearer. The bodice portion is heavily embellished with wide bands of decoration around the sleeves, neck, hem, front-opening, and down the middle of the ground panels. The bands are made of silver-gilt, bordered by strips of green foil, with rows of blossoms in red foil and sequins. The same style of bands decorate the edges and hems of the skirt panels, and the wrists of the sleeves. The main ground of the sleeves and skirt is embellished with a motif of silver-gilt strip couched into four-petal blossoms, regularly divided by serrated rows of silver-gilt foil. A deep striped trim lines the inside bottom hem of the skirt.

[hexjulia]

i looked up who that painter was because despite having had an intense pre-raphaelite obsession period like every other teenage cliche out there I'd never heard of her. She hardly seems to be remembered. Instead of articles the top pages google shows me are auctions... thankfully there's this page;

https://www.robertsimon.com/wylienotablesale

worth taking a look at! about that painting i just reblogged specifically;

'The subject and attributes of the painting appears to be of the artist’s invention, without a specific literary source. The ashen, somewhat androgynous king representing death peers out at the viewer through a veil held in place by the elaborate jeweled crown seated on his head, sculpted in raised “gesso duro” (Fig. 3). A scalloped halo in richly articulated gilt gesso is seen behind him, placed in front of the blue-grey feathers of his angelic wings, which are subtly modeled in low relief. In his right hand he holds a silver-tipped spear, while his left rests atop an elaborately bound book poised atop a clock-face on a table. The clasp of the book is open, the elaborate cover decorated with raised gold ornamentation around bone inlays, while the spine is decorated with four fictive panels. The topmost shows a dove hovering above the title “Liber Aeternitatis” [the Book of Eternity]; beneath that is a depiction of the Crucifixion; then the Resurrection; and finally a peacock, the traditional symbol of rebirth and immortality. These are all expressively modeled in gesso, highlighted with fine black lines. The gilt background punctuated by round depressions evokes the celestial sky of Italian gold-ground paintings. Throughout the work tempera colors and gilding are integrated with the gesso medium to create effects both illusionistic and decorative.

[...]

The frame, designed and fabricated by the artist, is richly decorated with designs in low relief (Fig. 4). In the corners menacing crows, a common symbol of death and the afterlife, surround a tubular ring depicting a snake biting its tail, an ancient emblem of eternity. Within lies a concentric relief band with alternating dragonflies and flowers (possibly poppies), both associated with change, transformation, and rebirth; then another snake-biting ring oriented in the opposite direction. A further flat band follows, this one decorated with a pattern of swirling knotted cords, of a type usually called sailor’s knots, signifying eternal and unbroken love. Finally, an angled inner frame surrounds the painting, with raised lettering spelling out work’s title along the edge. If the highly personal iconography of this work, both painting and frame, remains abstruse, its fundamental concerns may be said to be the mystery of life, the inevitability of death, and the hope for eternal life.'

look at those details!!

[thebeautifulbook]

MAHZOR. (Tuscany, c1490) A Jewish holiday prayerbook. Gold highlights, initial word panels throughout in burnished gold on red, green or blue grounds, some embellished with marginal sprays, text illustrations Edges gilt and gauffered

Mid 16th-century Italian gold-tooled dark brown goatskin over thin wooden boards with strapwork painted in red and yellow, both covers with central cartouche with coat of arms, elaborately decorated with a unicorn and rabbit, hatched leaf and flower tools, solid dots and foliate rolls.

source

[christomythopoesis]

A Merovingian bronze-gilt radiate-headed brooch featuring a human mask. Comprising at the bottom, a downward D-shaped head-plate with a panel of coiled tendrils and seven radiating ribbed lobes sticking out the circular edge. A raised mid-rib flanked by outward facing crescents and ribbed bosses. Two similar bosses flank the chest-plate, centred by a geometric symbol and faded- moon crescents. Topped with an oval shaped masked face. On the reverse, the original hinge and transverse catch are intact. They would have secured the (now missing) pin. The brooch is accompanied by a custom-made display stand.

(via Merovingian Bronze-Gilt Headed Brooch - Medieval Antiquities | Ancient & OrientalAncient & Oriental)

[aadiengineeringworks]

Best Spares Parts In Faridabad Aadi Engineering Works

In this page we will discuss about the services of Aadi Engineering Works.....

Our Services:- On-site Services Aadi Engineering Works offers doorstep pick-up and drop-off facility to give you a hassle-free experience regarding your two-wheeler or car overhauling. OEM Spare Parts We use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts to ensure your vehicle never underperforms, even if its spare parts need to be replaced. Spare parts are uniquely manufactured to suit specific vehicle models. Unlike minor fix-ups, OEM parts are compulsorily required in collision repair, as aftermarket parts may not fit the damaged panel to the exact specification. we always provide original parts to empower your wheels to run smoothly as before. At Aadi Engineering Works, OEM parts are readily available for all brands and all models of two-wheelers and cars. Thus, you don’t need to wait a couple of days to avail the genuine parts Automobile Detailing Service Say goodbye to dirt, grimes and odors in your car. At Aadi Engineering Works, we use advanced tools and techniques to give your automobile a cosmetic touch-up, recapturing the showroom appearance Protecting your car from harsh weather and dirt on roads is nearly impossible. This makes your car look unappealing and lose its charm over time. Both the interior and exteriors of automobiles include complex mechanisms that require intense care to function smoothly. Experts advise detailing cars at a regular interval of 4 to 6 months to enhance their performance and life span. We provide affordable interior and exterior detailing services for all hatchback, MPV or SUV cars of all brands. Our range of work includes Interior Detailing Vacuuming and Brushing We use vacuum cleaners to pull out dirt from the deepest corners of the car, including upholsteries, carpets, AC vents, etc. We thoroughly brush all portions of the interiors to remove dust. Window Glass and Windscreen Cleaning Exterior Washing A neutral ph-based car shampoo helps in removing mud and filth on the car exterior without rubbing too much. Claying After washing, we use a clay bar to rub off any residue or build-up that couldn’t be cleansed after washing. Polishing In polishing, we remove the original polish by rubbing it with an abrasive and applying a new protective wax coating. Gilt-Edge Lubricant Get best-in-class lubricants for your two-wheeler at our repair store Roadside Assistance and Aadi Engineering Works can help you to get out of Vehicle Insurance Support Whether you have met an accident or the two-wheeler disrupted Schedule Servicing Alert We keep records of our services. Once you repair your Bike Here,

[victoriansword]

British Pattern 1803 Infantry Officer’s Sword

With curved fullered blade double-edged towards the point, etched and gilt with foliage, the crowned Royal arms, trophies-of-arms and the crowned Royal cypher on a blued panel (worn, losses), gilt-brass hilt with a flaming grenade above the Royal cypher, wire-bound fishskin-covered grip, in its brass-mounted leather scabbard, with bullion sword knot. 72.0 cm; 28 1/3 in blade.

[awallofswords]

A fine English mounted yataghan, first quarter of the 19th century, Balkan blade 24 in., of typical forward curving form and inlaid in silver with panels of scrolling decoration involving script, the shoulder covered with a silver repoussé plate; English 'Mameluke' style hilt of gilt brass and ivory, quillons and langets richly embossed with oak leaves, grip strap formed of leaf chevrons with a beaded medial line, ivory pistol grips secured with flower head rivets; black leather scabbard with gilt brass locket and chape - each encircled by a band of leaf chevrons, the outer faces engraved with elegant botanical forms against a textured ground, the locket with two loose rings having reeded edges and Greek key decoration to each side, inner face of locket with cutler's particulars engraved within a seeded border "Salter Sword Cutler & Jeweller to H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex 35 Strand LONDON".

John Salter, who occupied 35 Strand between 1801 and 1824, is notable as having been both cutler and jeweller to Admiral Lord Nelson, and to a limited number of other naval officers including Edward Pellew; and as having been cutler to Lloyd's Patriotic Fund.

The blade is dated 1220 AH (CE 1st April 1805 - 21st March 1806) and carries a pious invocation to Hasan and Husain, key martyrs in Shi'ite hagiography who died at the battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Their names appear on many Balkan arms. The silver inlay work can be attributed to Shkodra, Montenegro and southern Bosnia. There is a similar blade in the Wallace Collection.

Source: Woolley & Walli Auction house