NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART ACQUIRES RARE ARCIMBOLDO PAINTING

THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON DC, HAS ACQUIRED THE FOUR SEASONS IN ONE HEAD, A RARE AND IMPORTANT MASTERPIECE BY GIUSEPPE ARCIMBOLDO, ON THE OCCASION OF THE EXHIBITION 'ARCIMBOLDO, 1526-1593: NATURE AND FANTASY', ON VIEW IN THE EAST BUILDING, 19.SEPTEMBER THROUGH 9.JANUARY. THE ARTIST'S DELIGHTFULLY BIZARRE HEADS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY COPIED AND IMITATED. THE FOUR SEASONS IN ONE HEAD IS ONE OF FEWER THAN 20 EXAMPLES BY THE MASTER IN EXISTENCE. THE PURCHASE, WHICH WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GALLERY'S PAUL MELLON FUND, MAKES THIS WORK THE ONLY UNDISPUTED PAINTING BY ARCIMBOLDO IN A PUBLIC COLLECTION IN THE UNITED STATES. THE PAINTING WAS PRESENTED PUBLICLY FOR TEH FIRST TIME IN THE 2007-08 ARCIMBOLDO RETROSPECTIVE HELD AT THE LOUVRE AND THE KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM, VIENNA. ARCIMBOLDO WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS COMPOSITE HEADS IN HIS OWN TIME AS COURT PAINTER TO THE HABSBURG EMPERORS MAXIMILIAN II AND RUDOLPH II IN VIENNA AND PRAGUE. LATER, AFTER HE WAS REDISCOVERED IN THE 1930s, THE HEADS INSPIRED THE SURREALISTS. PAINTED SINGLY OR IN A SERIES, THEY COMBINE PLANTS, ANIMALS AND OTHER OBJECTS APPROPRIATE TO THE THEMES ARCIMBOLDO TREATED, SUCH AS THE FOUR SEASONS AND THE FOUR ELEMENTS (EARTH, FIRE, AIR AND WATER). ARCIMBOLDO MADE THE FOUR SEASONS IN ONE HEAD FOR HIS FRIEND, THE WRITER GREGORIO COMPANINI, WHO FIRST DESCRIBES IT. THE PAINTING IS PRACTICALLY ALONE AMONG THE COMPOSITE HEADS IN THAT IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARTIST'S HABSBURG PATRONS AND, ACCORDINGLY, IT WAS NOT IN PRAGUE WHEN THE CITY WAS SACKED BY SWEDISH TROOPS IN 1648. INSTEAD, THE PAINTING IS MENTIONED IN THE 1656 INVENTORY OF THE FAMOUS CORTONI COLLECTION IN VERONA. AFTER THAT, THE PAINTING DISAPPEARED UNTIL THE 21st CENTURY WHEN IT RESURFACED IN AN ENGLISH COLLECTION. THE AGENT FOR SALE OF THE PAINTING IS PANDORA OLD MASTER, INC.

CHRISTIE'S SELLS SZE YUAN TANG BRONZE TO ONLINE BIDDER FOR $3.3 MILLION

IN A SIGN THAT FINE ART COLLECTORS ARE GROWING EVER MORE COMFORTABLE WITH BIDDING ONLINE, CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REPORTS THAT THE TOP LOT IN THURSDAY'S SALE OF THE SZE YUAN TANG ARCHAIC BRONZES FROM THE ANTHONY HARDY COLLECTION SOLD FOR $3.3 MILLION TO AN ONLINE BIDDER, SETTING A NEW HOUSE RECORD FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEM SOLD ONLINE. THE SALE PRICE SMASHED THE PREVIOUS CHRISTIE'S ONLINE SALE OF $1.27 MILLION, SET IN APRIL 2008 FOR A STRADAVARI VIOLIN PURCHASED ONLINE USING CHRISTIE'S LIVE™, THE COMPANY'S PROPRIETARY ONLINE BIDDING PLATFORM. THE NEW RECORD OF $3.3 MILLION WAS SET BY AN AMERICAN COLLECTOR WHO COMPETED AGAINST BIDDERS IN THE SALEROOM AND ON THE PHONE TO WIN THE RARE CHINESE BRONZE WINE VESSEL FANGYI, FROM THE LAT SHANG DYNASTY. WIDELY PUBLISHED AND EXTENSIVELY EXHIBITED IN MUSEUMS WORLDWIDE, THE STRIKING, HEAVILY DECORATED CONTAINER AND COVER IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A PRIZED RITUAL VESSEL AT THE TIME OF ITS CREATION IN 12th-11th CENTURY BC. INSCRIPTIONS ON BOTH THE VESSEL AND COVER RECORD THE CLAN NAMES OF THE ARTISANS WHO MADE THE VESSEL AS WELL AS THE ANCESTORS TO WHOM THE VESSEL IS DEDICATED.

MOET & CHANDON GOLDEN JEROBOAM

THE LUXURY VINTNER MOET & CHANDON RECENTLY INTRODUCED ITS LATEST LIMITED EDITION CREATION FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON. THE MOET & CHANDON GOLDEN JEROBOAM IS EXCLUSIVELY DRESSED IN STUNNING GOLD LEAF BY ASTHUS BERTRAND, WITH ONLY 1743 (THE YEAR IT WAS FOUNDED) BOTTLES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE. THE NEW HOLIDAY DRESSED CHAMPAGNE WILL BE LAUNCHED IN EARLY OCTOBER WITH AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF $1045.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS AT THE HEART OF BRITISH SOCIETY, THE QUEEN SAID AS SHE WELCOMED POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN. MEETING THE POPE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE, HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN SCOTLAND, SHE PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO WORLD DEVELOPMENT. THE QUEEN ALSO PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HELPING THE POOR, EDUCATING THE YOUNG AND BRINGING ABOUT PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HER COMMENTS ECHOED THOSE MADE BY BARONESS WARSI, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN, WHO SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT 'FAITH IS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND KICKING' IN BRITAIN. THE PAPAL PLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON THURSDAY MORNING AND IN A BREAK WITH TRADITION THE PONTIFF WAS GREETED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. THE ENTOURAGE SWEPT ONTO THE COURTYARD OF HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE IN LIMOUSINES WHERE THE QUEEN AND THE POPE SHOOK HANDS AT THE FORMAL WELCOME. THE TWO HEADS OF STATE STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, WITH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH BEHIND THEM, ON A SMALL DIAS IN FRONT OF A GUARD OF HONOR FORMED OF MEN FROM THE QUEEN'S HISTORIC BODYGUARD FROM SCOTLAND, THE ROYAL COMPANY OR ARCHERS, WHO CARRY LONGBOWS AND WEAR BONNETS DECORATED WITH A SINGLE EAGLE FEATHER. THE PAPAL ANTHEM AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WERE PLAYED BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND, BEFORE THE QUEEN INTRODUCED THE POPE TO THE LINE OF DIGNITARIES INCLUDING THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, DR ROWAN WILLIAMS; THE DEPUTY MINISTER, NICK CLEGG; AND ALEX SALMOND, THE FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND. THE QUEEN, THE POPE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXCHANGED GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. BENEDICT WAS PRESENTED WITH A FACSIMILE OF 85 DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER, AND THEN GAVE THE QUEEN A COPY OF THE BOOK OF THE LORSCH GOSPELS DATING FROM 778 TO 820. SHE THANKED HIM AND DESCRIBED THE BOOK AS 'LOVELY'. HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WERE INVITED TO THE RECEPTION INCLUDING LEADERS OF MAJOR RELIGIONS AND POLITICIANS. THE QUEEN APPEARED AT A LECTERN AT THE BACK OF THE PALACE, DRESSED IN A DUCK EGG-BLUE COAT AND MATCHING HAT ALONG WITH BLACK GLOVES, AND SPOKE FOR ALMOST FIVE MINUTES. SHE BEGAN BY RECALLING THE VISIT OF THE PREVIOUS POPE, JOHN PAUL II, TO BRITAIN IN 1982 AND CHANGES IN THE WORLD SINCE THEN. 'IN THIS COUNTRY WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE IN THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND.' ADDRESSING THE POPE DIRECTLY, THE QUEEN WENT ON: 'YOUR HOLINESS, YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY REMINDS US OF OUR COMMON CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND OF THE CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF WORLD PEACE, AND TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESS PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.' THE QUEEN QUOTED THE POPE'S COMMENT THAT RELIGIONS SHOULD NEVER BECOME 'VEHICLES OF HATRED' AND CONCLUDED: 'TODAY, IN THIS COUNTRY, WE STAND UNITED IN THAT CONVICTION. WE HOLD THAT FREEDOM TO WORSHIP IS AT THE CORE OF OUR TOLERANT AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED KINGDOMS, I WISH YOU A MOST FRUITFUL AND MEMORABLE VISIT.'

ATLANTIC FISH A BOSTON LANDMARK

KNOWN FOR SERVING THE FINEST AND FRESHEST FISH AND SEAFOOD, BOSTON'S ATLANTIC FISH, IS A CLASSIC BOSTON FAVORITE WHICH ATTRACTS LOCALS AND TRAVELERS ALIKE. ATLANTIC FISH, WHICH OPENED IN 1978, FOCUSES ON ONLY THE FINEST-QUALITY SEAFOOD AND THE FRESHEST CATCHES OF THE DAY, AND FOR THIS REASON THE RESTAURANT PRINTS MENUS DAILY TO REFLECT THE SEAFOOD AVAILABLE THAT DAY. ATLANTIC FISH IS A TRUE SEAFOOD HAVEN OFFERING SIGNATURE CLASSICS INCLUDING ITS AWARD-WINNING NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER, ITS FAMOUS BAKED STUFFED MAINE LOBSTER, JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKES AND A SIGNATURE SWORDFISH CHOP. THE MENU ALSO FEATURES SOME CONTEMPORARY SEAFOOD DISHES SUCH AS TUNA BOLOGNESE, BARBECUE GLAZED SALMON AND SEA BASS CHOWDER. THE ATLANTIC FISH'S DINING ROOM IS REMINISCENT OF A CLASSIC CRUISING VESSEL FEATURING DETAILED WOODWORK AND BEAUTIFUL MURALS THAT REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF THE SEA. THE RESTAURANT ALSO FEATURES A BEAUTIFUL PATIO FOR THOSE SEEKING OUTDOOR DINING.
THE RESTAURANT IS OPEN SUNDAY TO THURSDAY FROM 11.3a TO 11.0p AND ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAYS FROM 11.3a TO MIDNIGHT. IT IS LOCATED AT 761 BOYLSTON STREET IN BOSTON.

MARLBOROUGH GALLERY PRESENTS A DALE CHILHULY EXHIBITION

MARLBOROUGH GALLERY PRESENTS AN IMPORTANT EXHIBITION OF NEW YORK BY RENOWNED SCULPTOR AND GLASS ARTIST DALE CHILHULY WILL OPEN AT MALBOROUGH CHELSEA ON 16.SEPTEMBER AND CONTINUE THROUGH 16.OCTOBER. CALLED THE 'GREATEST LIVING MASTER OF THE ANCIENT MEDIUM OF GLASS', THIS WILL BE CHILHULY'S FIRST GALLERY EXHIBITION IN NEW YORK SINCE 2006. ON THE OCCASION OF HIS FIRST CHOW AT MARLBOROUGH CHELSEA, CHILHULY WILL CREATE A SPECTACULAR SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION ENTITLED CHELSEA PERSIANS FEATURING OVER ONE HUNDRED PERSIAN BLOWN GLASS ELEMENTS WHICH ARE OPEN, DISC LIKE FORMS WITH STRIATIONS (CALLED 'BODY WRAPS'). THE PERSIAN GLASS ELEMENTS ARE MOUNTED ON CURVILINEAR STAINLESS STEEL ARMATURES THAT DRAMATICALLY MOVE ACROSS THE WALLS, CEILINGS AND COLUMNS OF THE GALLERY. THE NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY-SCALED WORK FUNDAMENTALLY ALTERS THE ARCHITECTURAL SPACE THROUGH THE USE OF LIGHT, COLOUR, LINE AND GESTURE. IN ADDITION TO CHELSEA PERSIANS, CHILHULY WILL EXHIBIT A GROUP OF SILVERED SCULPTURES THAT CONTINUE HIS EXPLORATION OF GLASS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH LIGHT AND REFLECTION. THE WORKS, SPECIFICALLY SILVERED VENETIAN WITH GOLD AMBER HORNS AND SILVERED VENETIAN WITH TRIO OF HORNS ARE ESSAYS IN LIGHT AND, ACCORDING TO THE ARTIST, WERE INSPIRED BY HIS SERIES GRANDE VENETIANS EXECUTED IN 2009. HE HAS ALSO APPLIED THE TECHNIQUE TO A SERIES OF JERUSALEM CYLINDERS, ALSO IN THE SHOW, TO GREAT EFFECT. CONCURRENT WITH MARLBOROUGH'S EXHIBITION, CHILHULY'S WORK CAN BE SEEN IN NUMEROUS SOLO SHOWS AT MUSEUMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING AT THE FREDERICK MEIJER GARDEN AND SCULPTURE PARK IN GRAND RAPIDS THROUGH 30.SEPTEMBER AND THE CHEEKWOOD GARDENS AND THE FRIST CENTER FOR THE ARTS, BOTH IN NASHVILLE, ON VIEW THROUGH 2.JANUARY.2011.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS GORDONSTOUN

THE QUEEN ENJOYED A TASTE OF WEST END MUSICALS IN THE HIGHLANDS RECENTLY AS SHE VISITED GORDONSTOUN, THE SCHOOL WHERE HER HUSBAND AND SONS WERE EDUCATED. SHE WAS AT THE SCHOOL AT MORAY TO OPEN A NEW SPORTS CENTER. THE QUEEN WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO OPEN THE HALL LAST SEPTEMBER BUT THE VISIT HAD TO BE POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK AT THE SCHOOL. PUPILS PERFORMED EXCERPTS FROM THE MUSICAL LES MISERABLES IN THE OGSTOUN THEATER. SHE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVED IN A HELICOPTER AT 11.a. THE COUPLE WATCHED HOCKEY DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE BEFORE MAKING THEIR WAY IN TO THE SPORTS HALL, WITH PUPILS LINING THE ROUTE. AFTER A SPEECH FROM BRYAN WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, THE QUEEN UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE HALL. IONA MCVEAN AND CONNOR COLLINS THE YOUNGEST BOY AND GIRL FROM ABERLOUR HOUSE, THE PREP SCHOOL FOR GORDONSTOUN, EACH GAVE HER A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE THE QUEEN CHATTED WITH THE SOLOISTS. ONE OF THEM, LAURA BARNES, SAID IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO SING FOR THE QUEEN, AND SPEAK WITH TO HER AFTERWARD. DURING HER VISIT, THE QUEEN ALSO SPOKE TO PUPILS IN THE SECOND FIRE AND COASTGUARD SERVICES, AND MET SCHOOL DIGNITARIES AS WELL AS RETIRED HEAD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION GEORGE WELSH, AFTER WHOM THE NEW SPORTS HALL HAS BEEN NAMED. GORDONSTOUN, NEAR ELGIN, HAS EDUCATED SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF BRITISH ROYALTY. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND HIS SONS, THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE DUKE OF YORK AND THE EARL OF WESSEX, ALL ATTENDED THE SCHOOL, WHERE FEES RANGE FROM AROUND £19,000 FOR DAY PUPILS UP TO £29,000 A YEAR FOR BOARDERS.

QUEEN'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT TO BE MOVED TO SPRING

THE ANNUAL STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY THE QUEEN IS TO BE MOVED FROM ITS TRADITIONAL AUTUMN DATE TO THE SPRING, AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S SHIFT TO FIVE-YEAR FIXED-TERM PARLIAMENTS, IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. UNDER THE PROPOSALS, BEING DEBATED IN THE COMMONS RECENTLY, EACH FIVE-YEAR PARLIAMENT WILL BE MADE UP OF FIVE 12-MONTH SESSIONS STRETCHING FROM SPRING TO SPRING, WITH A STATE OPENING TO MARK THE NEW SESSION AROUND EASTER. ANNOUNCING THE PROPOSED CHANGES, LEADER OF THE COMMONS SIR GEORGE YOUNG REVEALED THAT THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH WILL TAKE PLACE AROUND EASTER 2012, ALMOST TWO YEARS AFTER THE CEREMONY WHICH OPENED THE CURRENT PARLIAMENT ON 25.MAY. OFFICIALS SAID IT HAD BEEN DECIDED, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE, TO DELAY THE NEXT QUEEN'S SPEECH FROM ITS EXPECTED DATE IN AUTUMN 2011, TO 'ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION' TO THE NEW SYSTEM. THE SPEECH, DRAWN UP BY MINISTERS BUT DELIVERED BY THE QUEEN, SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE COMING PERIOD. BUT INSIDERS SAID SUCH A LARGE PROGRAM OF WORK WAS SET OUT IN MAY THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF PARLIAMENT RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO DO IN THE TWO-YEAR GAP BEFORE THE NEXT ONE. TRADITIONALLY, THE 12-MONTH PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS RAN FROM NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER, WITH STATE OPENING HELD IN THOSE MONTH, EXCEPT IN GENERAL ELECTION YEARS, WHEN THE CEREMONY WAS HELD SHORTLY AFTER THE POLL. THE LAVISH CEREMONY, A HIGHPOINT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY YEAR, DATES FROM THE OPENINGS OF THE REBUILT PALACE OF WESTMINSTER IN 1852. IN 1974 THERE WERE TWO STATE OPENINGS BECAUSE OF THE TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT YEAR. THE CHANGE TO FIVE-SESSION PARLIAMENTS IS NOT EXPECTED TO RESULT IN ANY REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS ON WHICH THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SITS.

BOUCHERON FEMME BACCARAT

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PERFECT FRAGRANCE THAT WILL BE LONG REMEMBERED AFTER YOU'VE LEFT THE ROOM, THE 2010 LIMITED EDITION BOUCHERON FEMME IS JUST THE SCENT YOU NEED. FROM THE VERY FIRST LOOK AT THE EMBLEMATIC BOTTLE RING AND THE RICH LIGHT BLUE SAPPHIRE CABOCHON CURVES WILL REMIND YOU OF YOUR LUXURIOUS SIDE. THE SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION BOTTLES FEATURE BACCARAT CRYSTAL ENCRUSTED WITH PRECIOUS STONES WHICH INCLUDE 40 DIAMONDS TOTALING 1.24 CARATS, 24 SAPPHIRES OF .85 CARATS FINISHED WITH AN 18 CARAT GOLD RING ON THE CAP. PAYING AN ODE TO YOUR SENSUAL SIDE IS THE FLOWERY SCENT OF AMBER; THE INITIAL NOTES ARE MADE UP OF MANDARIN AND ITALIAN BERGAMOT SPREAD, GREEN TONES OF GALBANUM AND BASIL, FINISHED WITH A PULP OF APRICOTS AND GOLDEN VANILLA.

FUNDACION BBK PRESENTS MATISSE EXHIBITION

THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE FUNDACION BBK IN BILBAO HOSTS, FROM TODAY UNTIL 30.OCTOBER, FORTY PRINTS BY HENRI MATISSE IN WHICH THE FRENCH PINTER SHOWS HIS MOST INTIMATE SIDE. FOR MATISSE, PRINTMAKING AND DRAWING WERE NOT A MEANS TO DISSEMINATE HIS WORK, 'BUT TO CREATE AN INTIMATE SPACE', AN IDEA THAT SHOWS THE PARTS OF THE EXHIBITION, WHICH INCLUDES TWO SELF-PORTRAITS AND A PORTRAIT OF HIS THREE GRANDCHILDREN, AS EXPLAINED TO THE MEDIA BY THE CURATOR OF THE EXHIBIT, MARTINE SORIA. THE EXHIBITION FEATURES OVER FORTY WORKS (SELECTED FROM THE EIGHT HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS HE MADE THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE). THE SHOW FOLLOWS THE WORK OF MATISSE IN THIS TECHNIQUE, FROM THE FIRST HE MADE 'HENRI MATTISSE GRAVANT' AND ALSO THE LAST 'TROIS TETES. A L'AMITIE', WHICH IS A PICTURE OF HIS GRANDCHILDREN. IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE ENGRAVING ENTITLED 'SPRING', WITH CLEAN AND SOFT LINES, WHICH IS PERHAPS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE COLLECTION, ALTHOUGH THE CURATOR HAS BEEN A=UNABLE TO CHOOSE HER FAVORITE WORK BECAUSE 'ALL PERIODS OF MATISSE ARE INTERESTING, THEY LEAD TO AN EVOLUTION.' EXAMPLES OF EVERY PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUE USED BY MATISSE-ETCHINGS, MONOTYPES, LITHOGRAPHS, LINOCUTS, AQUATINTS, DRYPOINTS, WOODCUTS AND COLOUR PRINTS, ARE INCLUDED. ALMOST ALL OF THE PRINTS INVOLVE SERIAL IMAGERY WITH THE ARTIST SHOWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RECLINING OR SEATED POSE, THE INTEGRATION OF MODELS WITHIN INTERIORS, THE STUDY OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF A SUBJECT FROM A STRAIGHT REPRESENTATION TO SOMETHING MORE ABSTRACT OR DEVELOPED.

LOUIS VUITTON TO CLOSE PARIS BOUTIQUES AN HOUR EARLY

REUTERS RECENTLY REPORTED THAT FRENCH LUXURY DESIGN HOUSE LOUIS VUITTON WILL BE CLOSING ITS ICONIC PARISIAN BOUTIQUES AN HOUR EARLY TO PRESERVE ITS STOCKS AHEAD OF THE CHRISTMAS RUSH SEASON. THE SHOPS, WHICH ARE MAJOR HOT SPOTS FOR TOURISTS, ARE PARTICULARLY POPULAR AMONG JAPANESE, CHINESE AND RUSSIAN BUYERS AND MAKE UP A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE FRENCH BRAND'S TOTAL WESTERN EUROPEAN REVENUE. THE BOUTIQUES THAT ARE TO BE EFFECTED ACCORDING TO A SHOP ASSISTANT WHO WAS INTERVIEWED MONDAY INCLUDE LOUIS VUITTON'S FLAGSHIP ON THE AVENUE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES, AS WELL AS ITS OUTLETS ON AVENUE MONTAIGNE AND ON PLACE SAINT-GERMAIN DES PRES. TOURISTS SAY THE BRAND'S SIGNATURE LEATHER BAGS ARE OFTEN CHEAPER IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL THAN AT HOME IN CITIES SUCH AS SHANGHAI, TOKYO AND MOSCOW. 'WE ARE CLOSING AT 1800 INSTEAD OF 1900 TO REBUILD OUR STOCKS BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON', ONE ASSISTANT SAID, ADDING THE NEW CLOSING TIME COULD LAST UNTIL 1.DECEMBER. LOUIS VUITTON BOUTIQUES WITHIN DEPARTMENT STORES BON MARCHE, PRINTEMPS HAUSSMANN AND GALERIES LAFAYETTE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW OPENING OPENING HOURS, THE ASSISTANT SAID, DECLINING TO BE NAMED. THE FRENCH LEATHER GOODS MAKER IS NOT THE ONLY LUXURY BRAND WITH SUPPLY ISSUES. HERMES CUSTOMERS IN ASIA SOMETIMES HAVE TO WAIT MORE THAN THREE YEARS FOR A PARTICULAR BAG. THE COMPANY SAYS IT PREFERS TO EXPAND PRODUCTION SLOWLY TO PRESERVE QUALITY, EVEN IF THAT MEANS HOLDING BACK GROWTH. LOUIS VUITTON, WHICH RUNS 11 ATELIERS OR WORKSHOPS IN FRANCE, IS BUILDING A NEW FACILITY IN THE DROME REGION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE TO BOOST PRODUCTION. IT WILL BE OPERATIONAL IN THE SECOND HALF OF NEXT YEAR AND WILL EMPLOY 200 PEOPLE.

BONHAMS TO SELL IMPERIAL JADE SEAL

A STUNNING PIECE OF CHINA'S IMPERIAL HISTORY, A SEAL PERSONALLY COMMISSIONED BY THE QIANLONG EMPEROR (1711-1799, WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF BONHAMS SALE OF FINE CHINESE ART 11.NOVEMBER IN LONDON. THE PERFECT FOUR CENTIMETER SQUARE JADE SEAL BEARING THE INSCRIPTION 'ZI QIANG BU XI' (SELF-STRENGTHENING NEVER CEASES) IS CLOSELY LINKED TO THE EMPEROR'S 80th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE 55th YEAR OF HIS REIGN AND IS AN ICONIC REMINDER OF CHINA'S GOLDEN AGE. THE HISTORY AND PROVENANCE OF THE ARTIFACT SPEAKS BOTH OF A SIMPLE AND ELEGANT PERSONAL AESTHETIC AS WELL AS THE STAMP OF IMPERIAL POWER. IN HIS ARTICLE ON THE SEAL, GUO FUXIANG, A CURATOR AT THE WORLD FAMOUS PALACE MUSEUM IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY OF BEIJING, A WORLD AUTHORITY ON IMPERIAL HISTORY, WRITE: 'THE REASON THIS INSCRIPTION WAS CHOSEN FOR THE SEAL IS REVEALED IN THE EMPEROR'S PERSONAL COMMENTS WHICH INDICATES A DETERMINATION NOT TO BECOME INDOLENT, BUT TO REMAIN MINDFUL AND DILIGENT, DOING HIS BEST TO GOVERN HIS SUBJECTS BEFORE RELINQUISHING POWER. THE TERM ZIQIANG BUXI, SELF-STRENGTHENING NEVER CEASES, SERVED AS A CONSTANT REMINDER TO HIM.' ONE OF THE GLORIES OF HIS LONG REIGN WAS HIS LEGACY OF STUNNING ARTIFACTS AND LITERATURE. AND AT THE HEART OF THIS CORNUCOPIA OF CHINESE ART IS THIS OBJECT, THE EMPEROR'S PERSONAL SEAL WITH WORDING THAT PERSONIFIES HIS STATE OF MIND. THE SEAL WOULD HAVE ORIGINALLY BEEN ONE IN A SET OF THREE JADE SEALS, USED TO MAKE IMPRESSIONS AT THE RIGHT OR LEFT CORNER OF CALLIGRAPHY ARTWORKS. THE IMPRINTS OF ALL THREE SEALS ARE IN THE QIANLONG BAOSOU COLLECTION IN THE BEIJING PALACE MUSEUM.

CHRISTIE'S TO SELL RARE CROSBY GARRETT HELMET

THE AUCTION OF ANTIQUITIES ON 7.OCTOBER AT CHRISTIE'S SOUTH KENSINGTON WILL BE OFFERING AN EXCEPTIONAL SURVIVAL FROM ROMAN BRITAIN DISCOVERED BY A METAL DETECTORIST. DISCOVERED IN CUMBRIA, IN MAY 2010, THE CROSBY GARRETT HELMET DATES FROM THE LATE 1st-2nd CENTURY AD AND IS ONE OF ONLY THREE COMPARABLE EXAMPLES EVER TO HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM COMPLETE WITH FACE-MASK IN THE LAST 250 YEARS, AND IT HAS A PRE-AUCTION ESTIMATE OF £200,000 to £300,000. WITH ITS ENIGMATIC FEATURES, THE CROSBY GARRETT HELMET IS AN EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF ROMAN METALWORK AT ITS ZENITH. IT IS ONE OF ONLY THREE THAT HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN BRITAIN COMPLETE WITH FACE-MASKS, THE OTHERS BEING THE RIBCHESTER HELMET, FOUND IN 1796 AND NOW IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, AND THE NEWSTEAD HELMET, IN THE MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES, EDINBURGH, FOUND CIRCA 1905. THE CROSBY GARRETT HELMET SETS ITSELF APART BY VIRTUE OF ITS BEAUTY, WORKMANSHIP AND COMPLETENESS, PARTICULARLY THE FACE-MASK, WHICH WAS FOUND VIRTUALLY INTACT. IN ADDITION, THE REMARKABLE PHRYGIAN-STYLE PEAK SURMOUNTED BY ITS ELABORATE BRONZE GRIFFIN CREST APPEARS UNPRECEDENTED.

BONHAMS TO SELL TITANIC PRESENTATION MEDAL

ONE OF THE BRONZE MEDALS PRESENTED TO THE CREW OF RMS CARPATHIA, FOLLOWING THEIR HEROIC RESCUE OF 705 SURVIVORS OF THE STRICKEN TITANIC ON 15.APRIL.1912, IS TO BE SOLD AT BONHAMS AS PART OF THE MARINE SALE ON 28.SEPTEMBER. ESTIMATED AT £2,000 – 4,000, THE MEDAL IS INSCRIBED: PRESENTED TO THE CAPTAIN OFFICERS AND CREW OF RMS CARPATHIA IN RECOGNITION OF GALLANT AND HEROIC SERVICES FROM THE SURVIVORS OF THE SS TITANIC APRIL 15th 1912. RMS CARPATHIA WAS THE FIRST SHIP TO REACH THE SURVIVOR'S LIFEBOATS, HAVING RECEIVED AN EMERGENCY TRANSMISSION FROM THE TITANIC WHEN IT HIT AN ICEBERG AT 11.40p. DIVERTED FROM HER PASSAGE, RMS CARPATHIA CAME TO THE RESCUE OF 705 PASSENGERS AND TOOK THEM TO SAFETY IN NEW YORK. ON ARRIVAL, THE OFFICERS AND CREW WERE PRESENTED WITH MEDALS BY ONE OF THE FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS, MARGARET (MOLLY) BROWN, TO COMMEMORATE THE RESCUE: CAPTAIN ROSTRON RECEIVED A GOLD MEDAL AND SILVER CUP, THE OFFICERS RECEIVED SILVER MEDALS AND THE CREW RECEIVED BRONZE. ANOTHER TITANIC-RELATED LOT IS A MARINER'S CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE BOOK, WHICH CHARTS THE NAUTICAL CAREER OF JAMES EASSON BETWEEN 1887 AND 1912. THE BOOK, WHICH INCLUDES THE SIGNATURE OF CAPTAIN EDWARD SMITH OF THE RMS BALTIC, SHOWS EASSON'S RISE FROM A SCULLION ON THE BALTIC TO A COOK ON THE CARPATHIA. IT HAS ATTRACTED A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £1,000 – 1,500.

VATICAN'S APOSTOLIC LIBRARY REOPENS AFTER RENOVATION

THE VATICAN'S APOSTOLIC LIBRARY IS REOPENING TO SCHOLARS FOLLOWING A THREE-YEARS, $11.5 MILLION RENOVATION TO INSTALL CLIMATE CONTROLLED ROOMS FOR ITS PRECIOUS MANUSCRIPTS AND STATE OF THE ART SECURITY MEASURES TO PREVENT THEFT AND LOSS. THE LIBRARY, STARTED BY POPE NICHOLAS V IN THE 1450s, HOUSES ONE IF THE WORLD'S BEST COLLECTIONS OF ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS. IT INCLUDES THE OLDEST KNOWN COMPLETE BIBLE, DATING FROM ABOUT 325 AND BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE 50 BIBLES COMMISSIONED BY EMPEROR CONSTANTINE, THE FIRST CHRISTIAN ROMAN LEADER. IT REOPENS ITS FRESCOED HALLS TO SCHOLARS 20.SEPTEMBER. LIBRARY OFFICIALS TOOK PAINS TO NOTE THAT THE RENOVATION WORK WAS COMPLETED ON TIME, A RARITY IN ITALY BUT ALSO AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE INCONVENIENCE THE THREE YEAR CLOSURE CAUSED MANY SCHOLARS WHO HAD TO SUSPEND THEIR RESEARCH WHILE ITS COLLECTIONS OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VOLUMES WERE IN STORAGE. SOME 4,000 TO 5,000 SCHOLARS ARE GIVEN PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN THE LIBRARY EVERY YEAR; ACCESS IS GENERALLY RESTRICTED TO ACADEMICS CONDUCTING POST-GRADUATE LEVEL RESEARCH. NONE OF THE ITEMS IN THE LIBRARY CAN BE CHECKED OUT, AND RULES FOR WORKING INSIDE ARE STRICT: NO PENS, FOOD OR EVEN MINERAL WATER ARE ALLOWED IN THE MANUSCRIPT READING ROOM. RESEARCHERS WILL NOW FIND IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS AND ELEVATOR ACCESS TO THE VATICAN'S VAST COLLECTION, AS WELL AS A NEW TOWER INSIDE THE VATICAN'S BELVEDERE CONSULTATION ROOMS. INSIDE THE BUNKER ITSELF, FIRE PROOF AND DUST PROOF FLOORS AND WALLS INSTALLED TO FURTHER PROTECT AND MANUSCRIPTS. THE LIBRARY'S 70,000 BOOKS HAVE BEEN OUTFITTED WITH COMPUTER CHIPS TO PREVENT LOSS AND THEFT, CLOSED CIRCUIT CAMERAS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND NEW AUTOMATED ENTRY AND EXIT GATES KEEP TABS ON WHO IS COMING AND GOING. THE SECURITY MEASURES STEM IN PART FROM AN INCIDENT IN WHICH AN OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ART HISTORY PROFESSOR, ANTHONY MELNIKAS, SMUGGLED PAGES TORN FROM A 14th CENTURY VATICAN MANUSCRIPT THAT ONCE BELONGED TO PETRARCH. HE WAS SENTENCED IN 1996 TO 14 MONTHS IN PRISON AFTER ADMITTING HE TOOK THE PAGES DURING A RESEARCH VISIT IN 1987. DURING THE PRESENTATION AND TOUR OF THE LIBRARY RECENTLY, OFFICIALS SHOWED OFF A REPLICA OF THE ILLUMINATED URBINO BIBLE, PRODUCED FOR THE DUKE OF URBINO IN 1476-78 BY DAVID AND DOMINICO GHIRLANDAIO AND OTHERS. THE BIBLE, ONE OF THE FINEST WORKS OF ART IN THE 15th CENTURY, IS SAID TO CONTAIN OVER A KILO OF GOLD IN ITS ILLUSTRATED PAGES.

'NOTORIOUS & NOTABLE: 20th CENTURY WOMEN OF STYLE' PAYS HOMAGE TO FASHION ICONS

FASHION MAY BE FOR FOLLOWERS BUT STYLE IS ORIGINAL IS THE MESSAGE OF THE NEW EXHIBIT WHICH GIVES A GLIMPSE INTO THE CLOSETS OF 81 WOMEN WHO MADE THEIR MARK ON MANHATTAN. 'NOTORIOUS & NOTABLE: 20th CENTURY WOMEN OF STYLE', WHICH OPENS TUESDAY DURING NEW YORK FASHION WEEK, INCLUDES FASHIONS AND JEWELS BY GLAMOROUS NEWSMAKERS SUCH AS JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS AND STRIPPER GYPSY ROSE LEE. 'WE'RE NOT SAYING WHO IS NOTORIOUS AND WHO IS NOTABLE', SAID JUDITH PRICE, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL JEWELRY INSTITUTE, WHICH COLLABORATED ON THE EXHIBIT. 'WE'RE LEAVING THAT UP TO THE BEHOLDER.' BUT SHE ADDED THAT THE EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK HONORS 'WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR THUMBPRINT ON NEW YORK FASHION.' IN ADDITION TO FASHION ICONS, THE EXHIBIT ALSO PAYS HOMAGE TO WOMEN WHO WERE PROMINENT IN SOCIETY, POLITICS, BUSINESS AND THE ARTS AND WHO REPRESENT NEW YORK'S HISTORY AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY. A TURN OF THE CENTURY BLACK SILK GOWN WORN BY THE WIFE OF JP MORGAN JR IS SHOWN ACROSS THE RUNWAY FROM CONGRESSWOMAN BELLA ABZUG'S FLOPPY HAT AND EARLY 1970s MAXI COAT. 'STYLE IS SIMPLE. YOU WEAR IT. IT DOESN'T WEAR YOU', EXPLAINED NEW YORK DESIGNER JACKIE ROGERS, WHOSE CLIENTS INCLUDED KENNEDY ONASSIS. DESIGNER NORMAN NORELL'S SUNDRESS FOR 1960s CONSUMER ADVOCATE BETTY FURNESS AND SINGER MARIAN ANDERSON'S 1941 GOLD CONCERT GOWN WITH FEATHERS ARE ALSO FEATURED IN THE SHOW. JEWELRY IS ALSO FEATURED PROMINENTLY WITH DESIGNER CAROLINA HERRERA'S BLUE TOPAZ EARRINGS AND LEGENDARY VOGUE EDITOR DIANA VREELAND'S JEWELED GOLD TIFFANY PIN ON DISPLAY. ART COLLECTOR CORICE CANTON ARMAN EXPLAINED THE STORY BEHIND HER 18 CARAT GOLD CUFF BRACELET WITH VIOLINS AND HORNS DONE IN RUBIES MADE BY HER LATE HUSBAND, THE FRENCH-BORN ARTIST ARMAND PIERRE FERNANDEZ. 'ARMAN USED STRING INSTRUMENTS', SHE SAID. 'FOR HIM, THEY WERE REMINISCENT OF THE FEMALE BODY.' PHYLLIS MAGIDSON, THE MUSEUM'S CURATOR OF COSTUMES AND TEXTILES, SAID THERE WAS AN ART TO WEARING CLOTHES SUCH AS MODEL BETSY PICKERING'S 1970s BLACK HALSTON GOWN WITH PLUNGING V-NECKLINE.

LOUIS VUITTON SPEAKERS BY LEON

MICHIGAN-BASED LEON SPEAKERS, MAKERS OF BESPOKE HIGH-FIDELITY HOME THEATER SPEAKER SYSTEMS, HAVE COME OUT WITH THE ULTIMATE IN AUDIO HAUTE COUTURE; A PAIR OF CUSTOM LOUIS VUITTON SPEAKERS. THE COMPANY PRODUCED THE ONE-OFF CREATIONS USING THE ICONIC VUITTON MONOGRAM CANVAS FOR A FASHIONABLE A FASHIONABLE AUDIOPHILE. LEON CAN CUSTOM MAKE ALL COMPONENTS TO MEET A CLIENT'S WHIMS AND MATCH THE DECOR OF A ROOM OR A FAVORITE COLLECTION, USING INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE WOOD FINISHES, METAL AND LEATHER. THE COMPANY HAS MADE SPEAKERS TO MATCH A CUSTOMER'S COLLECTION OF CUSTOM CARS AND OTHERS TO GO WITH A COLLECTION OF MODERN ART. THE SPEAKERS ARE DESIGNED TO SOUND AS GOOD AS THEY LOOK WITH TOP-END ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING.

LIBERACE MUSEUM IN LAS VEGAS TO CLOSE

IT WAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT THE ICONIC TOURIST ATTRACTION AND VENERABLE LAS VEGAS INSTITUTION, THE LIBERACE MUSEUM, WILL BE SHUTTING DOWN NEXT MONTH. THE BEJEWELED GLITTER-FILLED MUSEUM CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO STAY OPEN PUTTING 30 PEOPLE OUT OF A JOB. THE UNIQUE BUILDING TOPPED OFF BY A KEYBOARD AND FULL OF LIBERACE'S SEQUINED COSTUMES, JEWELRY, AND FAMOUS RHINESTONE-COVERED PIANOS AND CARS. THE MUSEUM IS OPERATED BY THE LIBERACE FOUNDATION, WHICH HAS DECIDED TO NARROW ITS FOCUS TO RAISING MONEY FOR THE MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS IT HAS AWARDED FOR DECADES. LIBERACE FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIRMAN JEFFREY KOEP TOLD AOL NEWS THE ORGANIZATION'S ENDOWMENT HAS SHRUNK FROM $12 MILLION TO $5 MILLION AND VISITORS HAD PLUMMETED TO 50,000 LAST YEAR. THE FOUNDATION OWNS THE ENTIRE STRIP MALL WHERE THE MUSEUM IS LOCATED ABOUT THREE MILES WEST OF THE LAS VEGAS STRIP. SOME ARTIFACTS INCLUDING LIBERACE'S AWARDS, PIANOS, CANDELABRAS AND COSTUMES, MAY BE SHOWN IN OTHER CITIES ON A SPECIAL TOUR. BUT THE INTEREST IN THE MUSEUM HAS BEEN WANING IN RECENT YEARS. THERE ARE PLANS FOR A STEVEN SODERBERGH BIOPIC ABOUT LIBERACE WITH MICHAEL DOUGLAS AS THE PIANIST AND MATT DAMON AS HIS LOVER THAT COULD RENEW INTEREST IN THE PERFORMER BUT OVERALL LIBERACE IS SEEN AS A SYMBOL OF THE OLDER, GAUDIER MORE DECADENT LAS VEGAS THAT THE HOTELS AND CASINOS HAVE TRIED TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

BRITISH MUSEUM TO RECEIVE £25 MILLION DONATION

THE BRITISH MUSEUM SAYS IT WILL BE RECEIVING A £25 MILLION DONATION FROM JOHN SAINSBURY, THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF BRITAIN'S ICONIC SUPERMARKET CHAIN SAINSBURY. THE DONATION IS ONE OF THE LARGEST GIFTS TO THE ARTS IN RECENT DECADES AND WILL HELP THE WORLD-RENOWNED LONDON INSTITUTION TO FUND AN EXTENSION AND PRESERVE ITS STUNNING COLLECTION OF ART WORKS AND ANCIENT TREASURES. THE DONATION ALSO COMES AT A TIME OF FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY FOR BRITISH CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS, WHICH ARE FACING DEEP CUTS IN PUBLIC FUNDING AS THE NEW GOVERNMENT WORKS TO BALANCE THE COUNTRY'S BUDGET. THE BRITISH MUSEUM RECEIVES AN ESTIMATED 5 MILLION VISITORS A YEAR. ITS COLLECTION INCLUDES THE ROSETTA STONE, THE LEWIS CHESSMEN AND THE ELGIN MARBLES.

ASPERY LUGGAGE COLLECTION

ASPREY OF LONDON HAS RECENTLY RELEASED A NEW LUGGAGE COLLECTION FOR THOSE WHO WILL BE TRAVELING A LOT DURING THE FALL. THE ASPREY LONDONER LUGGAGE COLLECTION HAS BEEN CAREFULLY MANUFACTURED IN ENGLAND BY GLOBE-TROTTER AND IS MADE OF DURABLE LEATHER AND METAL. THE CASES ARE LINED WITH EXQUISITE ROBUST HEMP LINEN THAT FEATURES A UNIQUE LEATHER HAND STAMPED ASPREY LABEL. THE CORNERS HAVE BEEN CAUTIOUSLY STITCHED IN CROCODILE AND ARE DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE THE CLASSIC STRIPE OF ASPREY WITH A DETACHED WEBBED LUGGAGE STRAP WHICH PROTECTS THE SUITCASES. THE EXTERIOR OFFERS THE PIECES A MODERN SHEEN THANKS TO AN ASTONISHING STRONG STRUCTURE METALLIC FINISH. THE LUGGAGE COLLECTION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN TWO COLOURS; METALLIC PURPLE WHICH IS ASPREY'S SIGNATURE COLOUR, PURPLE CROCODILE TRIM AND MATTE BLACK WITH OXIDIZED METALLIC CORNERS AND BLACK CROCODILE TRIM WITH THE OPTION TO BE PERSONALIZED AS WELL.

REMAINS OF 18th CENTURY WHALE FOUND IN THAMES

THE SKELETON OF A HUGE WHALE, THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN BUTCHERED FOR ITS MEAT, BONE AND OILS 300 YEARS AGO, HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS ON THE BANKS OF LONDON'S RIVER THAMES. THE REMAINS OF THE HEADLESS BEAST, THE NOW RARE NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE, WERE FOUND SUBMERGED IN THE THICK FORESHORE MUD AT GREENWICH, AN HISTORIC MARITIME CENTER IN THE EAST OF THE CITY. 'THIS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST SINGLE 'OBJECT' EVER TO BE FOUND ON AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG IN LONDON', SAID FRANCIS GREW, A SENIOR CURATOR AT THE MUSEUM OF LONDON. 'WHALES OCCASIONALLY SWIM INTO THE THAMES, AND THERE ARE HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THE ENORMOUS PUBLIC EXCITEMENT THEY ENGENDERED.' HISTORIANS BELIEVE THE CREATURE, ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN 16 METERS LONG, MAY HAVE FOUNDERED IN THE RIVER IN THE 17th TO 18th CENTURIES, OR COULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT BY ONE OF THE MANY WHALING SHIPS THAT OPERATED FROM CLOSE BY. THE SKELETAL REMAINS, WHICH WEIGH HALF A TON AND ARE UP TO FOUR METERS WIDE HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY PRESERVED BY THE ANAEROBIC NATURE OF THE SEDIMENT. EXPERTS SAY THE WHALE'S RESTING PLACE IS INCONSISTENT WITH A NATURAL BEACHING AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DRAGGED TAIL-FIRST UP ONTO THE RIVER BANK TO BE BUTCHERED. WHALE OIL WAS USED FOR DOMESTIC LIGHTING, WHILE WHALEBONE HAD MULTIPLE USES, INCLUDING FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF , RIDING CROPS AND EVEN LADIES' CORSETS. MOST OF THE ITEMS WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE FRONT OF THE CARCASS WHICH HAS BEEN HACKED OFF. A PIECE OF MISSING BONE FROM ONE OF TEH MASSIVE VERTEBRAE SUGGESTS THE ANIMAL MAY HAVE BEEN HARPOONED, OR THAT GAFF-HOOKS WERE USED TO SECURE THE CARCASS AFTER SLAUGHTER. IT IS ON DISPLAY UNTIL 14.SEPTEMBER AT THE MUSEUM OF LONDON'S DOCKLANDS EXHIBITION SITE AND WILL THEN BE SHIPPED TO LONDON'S NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM FOR FURTHER STUDY.