18th Century Inspired: Accessories

Danielle at Rococo en Fleurs has started a line of 18th century inspired accessories: flowers! We have all seen portraits of the period where ladies wore flowers in their hair, on their gowns or simply presenting them in a basket; Danielle uses the color palettes and delicate brush strokes as inspiration. 

Her blooms are available in three sizes and she also makes headband blooms. Each piece can be customized when you order it, if you would like it for your hair she will affix it to bobby pins or a clip of your specification, or if you want to throw it on your gown just specify a pin!  The blooms are embleished with details such as faux crystals and pearls for a little sparkle and shine. Lovely!

I am quite certain she would be more than receptive to suggestions of flowers you may have noticed in a portrait, so do take advantage of the "Order custom item" request form.

My favorite? The du Barry bloom!

What would I like to see? A Rose Bertin Headband!

You can view her creations at her shop Rococo en Fleurs , she keeps a blog of her new work and she is also on twitter: @RococoFleurs

For your château?

Here is a series on decorative arts, which I have a particular fondness for.  The idea is simple; I present you with an object for your lovely 18th century estate.  Would you place it in your home or leave it for the tacky Duc of Dunkirk or Madame de Plunge (who has very ill taste)!

Chimney-piece and Over-mantel, c.1750. Pine, glass, mirror, marble. Victoria and Albert Museum.

So, here we have chimney piece complete with an over-mantle made of pine, marble and backed with mirror. The mirror is visible through the interlacing and ornate carved details.  The base of the chimney is marble. What do you say? For your château?

Family Tree: Meet Marie's Sister Marianne

Archduchess Marianne was born second to Maria Elizabeth in 1738.  Unfortunately for the family, it was the second daughter and not a son.  It was said that Maria Theresa acknowledged that she would be destined for a convent, when at birth she was born with a slight deformity.

Her full name, Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria, was chosen after Maria Theresa's sister Maria Anna, who died in 1744.  On July 26, 1750 a large celebration was held for St. Anne's Day, in honor of both Marianne and her deceased aunt.   The theme of the celebration was the legend of Orpheus, and the symbolosim suggested that the young Marianne carried the spirit of her beloved aunt. 

When she was just seventeen she had two younger sisters whose future marriages were already being discussed.  The eldest archduchess was not born to find a royal husband due to her deformity which became more pronounced later in life, and as been noted as a 'hump' most likely in the back.

In 1767 the archduchess had the misfortune of contracting smallpox most likely caught from her sister who had developed it first. Her face was permanently scarred.  She spent her days with her younger sister Maria Elizabeth who was also badly affected by the pox.  The two would continue to live together.  Marianne was very pious and giving, spending much of her time studying. Once, she was asked to aid in founding a convent of nuns called the Delight of Jesus.  She agreed, but would lateer regret, when the new institution was broken up due to Jesuitism.


The rest of her days were spent at the palace, and while Maria Theresa was alive, she was devoted and at her side.  Her mother found both daughters "lived more as nuns than princesses."  Marianne never married but lived with her sister Maria Elizabeth and became the the abbess of the Imperial and Royal Convent for Noble Ladies in Prauge.  She lived until 1780.