Christie's in London

August 21, 2014
Christie's in London

Christie's is the world's oldest fine art auctioneer and has sold fine art, furniture, jewellery and wine since 1766, when James Christie conducted the very first sale in London. Since then, Christie's has continued to build its reputation as the perfect backdrop for the sales of the world's finest collections and greatest works of art before their auction. 


It was in 1823 when Christie's moved to its global headquarters at 8 King Street, St. James's, which remains to be its London headquarters. The photo above shows the doors by which the precious items arrive and depart.


Currently Christie's is the world's largest fine art auctioneer, with sales for the first half of 2012, some £2.79 billion, representing the highest total for a corresponding period in company and art market history. And to think, it all started in London.

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History of the Carousel

August 20, 2014

A carousel could be considered to be a key component of any fayre. But how did it the carousel come about?


Horsing Around

It's believed that in 1100's, Arabian and Turkish horsemen competed in a game played on horseback. 

Italian and Spanish crusaders who witnessed this sport described the contest as a "little war" or garosello and carosella respectively based on the ferocity the horsemen played.

When the crusaders returned home, they brought the game back with them where, over time, became an ex...

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The lamps are going out all over Europe

August 20, 2014


One hundred years ago Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary stated to his friend and journalist John Alfred Spender, editor of the Westminster Gazette "the lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time." It was dusk as he was watched the first of the gas lights along the Mall were being lit. The next day Grey would face the Cabinet and persuade them that the time had now come to declare war on Germany.

From what had been a European war, when Britain declare...


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A City surrounded by dragons

August 20, 2014
The City of London is surrounded by dragons but why? 


How are dragons perceived in western culture?

In classical legend, dragons are associated with guarding something. For example, in Greek mythology, a ten headed dragon guarded the golden apples, in the Garden of the Hesperides. In medieval romance dragons spend a lot of time guarding pretty, captive women i.e. the princess in the tower story we all know so well.


How are dragons portrayed in literature and language?

Dragons are mention...


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Henry VIII and his family jewels

August 20, 2014

The statue of Henry VIII on top of the main entrance gate to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in West Smithfield is apparently the only public statue of the Tudor king in London. Is familiar frontal stance shows off his shapely calves and codpiece off to full advantage.

What is a codpiece?

The word comes from Middle English with cod meaning scrotum and was originally required to provide a fashionable man of the Middle Ages with modesty as the short doublets failed to do so.

What is a Tudor codpiece?

â...


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