#dovecote

[cuties-in-codices]

on hens, on doves, on the goldfinch

full-page miniatures from a copy of konrad von megenberg's encyclopedic buch der natur (book of nature), illustrated by the workshop of diebold lauber in hagenau (alsace), c. 1442-48

source: Heidelberg, UB, Cod. Pal. germ. 300, ff. 142r, 131v, and 134v

[thesixthduke]

[laugier]

[richwall101]

Bruton Dovecote by Richard Walker Via Flickr: The Bruton Watchtower/ Dovecote / Somerset / UK It seems likely that this square three storey structure was originally erected as a watch tower. From surviving relieving arches it appears that the building at one time had four two light windows on the middle floor and possibly a door opening on the south-west elevation. The mouldings on the present doorway and of the window frames appear to date to the 17th century. "An old drawing of the early 18th century shows a chimney and it then had a roof. The windows have obviously been altered in shape and some blocked up ...... once had a first floor storey and a fireplace and was used for some sort of habitation" ( Couzens P 1968, 40). Appears unlikely to have been the Pigeon House for the Priory as it was "too far away from the Priory and has only 200 nests in it whereas dovecotes usually had many hundreds if they were made for a useful purpose" ( ibid). It was presumably during the 1700s that the building was converted into a dovecote, presumably by the Berkeley family. The Tower is in the care of The National Trust The images are archival

[scavengedluxury]

Dovecote, 1940. From the Budapest Municipal Photography Company archive.

[aisphotostuff]

Visiting Nymans garden in Spring Sussex by Adam Swaine Via Flickr: A garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins.With breathtaking views across the South Downs that feel like an extension of the garden, the National Trust’s Nymans is an admirable mix of formal gardens and wild areas.

[peablossom-draws]

Top things I want to reference from the met collection

Starting off with clothes, we have this absolutely gorgeous robe à la française from around the 1770s. It's so vibrant--the colors are barely faded after what, 250 years??? I love it.

Next there are these two stunning jackets from the same time period. The one on the left actually has faint lined patternwork that adds this lovely richness in the fabric's color, and the embroidery is just incredible. On the right, the large cuffs you can see are detachable, and have the same embroidery as the waistcoat beneath the outer jacket. And while I believe (?) it's a little faded, the yellow still pops, I can only imagine what it would have looked like originally. These two are really nice examples of what men would wear at court around the 1770s.

With underthings, we have this chemise in excellent condition. I believe it's cotton? It might be linen though. Either way, The gathering of the fabric near the top to create that square neckline--??? I love it. As for the stockings, the color is definitely not what I was envisioning when I was thinking about what fine stockings would look like. It's nice to have my modern assumptions turned on their head, though. It shows me what I don't know. Anyway, these stockings are beautiful, and I want to draw a character in Dovecote wearing something similar.

Next, there is a stomacher from about the 1770s as well. (I pulled most of images from that time period specifically, with some exceptions for Quyên.) The embroidery is asymmetrical, which I was not expecting, but I like it. Asymmetry is fun to see when a lot of the fashion was symmetric. To the right, there is an embroidered apron. Now even though I am fairly sure this apron would be worn for decoration rather than for real use, I still think it could replace the checked apron Ella wears.

On the left, there's a lady's hat. I think the blue would have been more vibrant when it was made. The hat itself may have been lighter as well. On the right, there's a lace capuchin (not the monkey). This hood could have been worn outside potentially, or as decoration.

Finally exiting the world of clothing, these here are matching bags. They might have been a wedding gift. They depict a couple. These were popular around the mid-to-late 17th century. That is, admittedly, early for Dovecote, but I like to think that perhaps Édouard's parents might have owned something similar, and maybe even Édouard himself would have wanted a set for he and Quyên.

There was this stunning wooden chest. Its front would open to reveal a set of drawers, as seen here. This could be a useful reference for the future, when I have to draw a ton of boxes, crates, barrels, and yes, chests.

Last, but certainly not least, there is this magnificent harpsichord. I believe it was later converted to a piano, but its general look remains the same. I like to imagine one of my characters sitting at this instrument, and maybe the sun from the window bounces off of the lid and reflects red onto the harpsichord player.

Anyway yeah, seriously if you want historical references, check out the met collection online. A lot of stuff is in the public domain. I mean this is just a tiny snippet of stuff I saw. I didn't even really look into the old prints they have. It's great.

[yellowcakeuf6]

View of the roof inside an 11th century dovecote, taken by me today.