Happy leap year day (or the day your girlfriend may propose)

Happy leap year day! 

According to an ancient British tradition, leap years are the only time when women are allowed to propose marriage to men. Some claim that this tradition dates back to the 5th century, when St Bridget of Kildare complained to Saint Patrick about women having to wait so long to get a proposal. Saint Patrick then decided that women would be allowed to propose marriage to men every leap years, thus balancing the relationships between genders in the same way that leap year day balances the calendar.

In 1288, Queen Margaret of Scotland passed a law forcing any man refusing a marriage proposal to offer the poor girl a kiss, £1 or a silk gown (which is quite cheap and insulting compared to the girl's disappointment, I think). In Denmark, he would have to offer twelve pairs of gloves (to cover her shame of not wearing an engagement ring) and in Finland, enough fabric for her to make a new skirt (I don't quite get what is the explanation or symbol behind this tradition, though).

Finally, the traditional way of dressing up for proposing on leap year was to wear breeches. However, probably because of the low success rate, breeches were replaced by a pretty red petticoat.

Personally, I don't give a Mason jar about leap year day. However, good luck to anybody who knows about this tradition and plans to propose today! If it is the case, you may be interested in these Etsy finds:

Pretty 1890s breeches by Greatestfriend, $380.

Red crinoline petticoat by Pistolpoppy, $28.

Vintage leap year comical postcard by Imagesofthepast, $6.

Victorian man wedding ring by AncientAdornment, $70.

And for more comical postcards about women proposing on leap year, take a look at this Slate magazine page.

Happy leap year day to all again!

Great news!

The Hospices in Beaune, Burgundy.

I am finally back after great holidays in France! Unfortunately, because of family obligations I didn't have the time to look for interesting antiques to take back to the UK... Hopefully, next time will be different! Anyway, I spent a fantastic time in Beaune (Burgundy), and recommend it to anyone who's into great food, wine and beautiful landscapes and architecture!

When I came back home, I received some great news from Woolley and Wallis, the Salisbury salerooms: I am going to work in their Asian Art department in April-May! I am so eager to start as it'll be a great opportunity to experience work in a busy saleroom. I'll also learn a great deal about Chinese art and antiques - I am so excited about it! I will keep you posted as it goes ;-)

Website of Woolley and Wallis, Salisbury salerooms

Finally: about my DIY project. I now know what I am going to do with my cast-iron bracket! I need to find the right tools and accessories, but be sure that I'll post some pictures of the final product when it'll be done!

Bye for now, and have a great weekend ;-)

Ally

A week in France!

Just a short post to say that I'm going to France from Wednesday 15 to Tuesday 21! I won't be able to add any new post to this blog during this week; however, I'll keep my eyes open for some French vintage treasures and antiques and I'll share my discoveries (if I make any) here when I'm back!

Have a great week and see you soon!

Ally

New antique DIY project: repurposed cast iron bracket

I finally have access to the Internet again and I am now trading from the other side of Oxford!
To start this new era, I found an exciting antique DIY project:

I discovered this antique cast iron bracket hidden under a bed of ivy in my new garden. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would end up in my studio :)

Now that I have cleaned it, I have a couple of decisions to make:

- do I get rid of the original white paint (half gone), then leave it in rusty colour, or do I paint it again in white (or black)?

- (the fun part) what do I do with it? Here are some ideas:

• use it as a bed ornament or headboard...? 

(image from European Antique Market blog)

(Image from Man_of  Steel on Flickr)

• use it as a banquette arm (love this idea - but difficult as I don't have this kind of sofa):

(Image from Susan Burger Living Beautifully)

• Make some kind of lamp out of it?

(Image from Under Spanish Moss blog)

• or just sell it? :o)

I need your help to decide wisely! What do you think would be the best option? Do you have any other idea about how to repurpose it? Please let me know in the comments below :-)