I think that whenever one attempts something… one should strive to
attain excellence of the highest caliber. This holds true for acting,
car racing, I’m better than the Jones’, and even snobbism. And
thereby–as someone once said–hangs a tale.
The year… 1957. Harry Winston makes a sale to the Duchess of
Windsor… a lady–one would think–who could not easily be snubbed
for one would have to imagine she has reached the highest levels of
society and nothing could pull a chair out from under her lofty
status. Of course … if one thought that… one would be wrong. Our
Duchess’ purchase consists of an Indian emerald drop necklace. Don’t
know how much she paid… but I would venture to say t’warn’t no
nickel and dime buy.
Shortly thereafter there is a grand reception which is attended
by–among others–the Maharanee of Baroda. The reception goes on with
folks doing those things that folks to at grand receptions… and the
Maharanee glances over at the Duchess and immediately recognizes the
necklace as having been made from a pair of Indian anklets recently
sold from the Baroda collection. “My dear,” says the Maharanee to a
companion in a voice that would override the noise of the crowds at
Yankee stadium at the opening of the World Series, “Have you seen,
she is wearing the beads I used to have on my feet!” Needless to say,
the necklace was returned the very next day.
The moral… to take a cue from dear old Aesop: Don’t matter how big
you are… there’s always someone bigger. Not sure if Aesop said
this… or Benjamin Mark. One of them did.
Which brings us to the Huma bird. This has absolutely nothing to do
with the above story… other than the fact that it’s Indian in
origin and one of the most beautiful examples of a bejeweled
statuette I have ever seen. It dates to circa 1787-1793 and resides
in The Royal Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. No idea of
its worth. I will not describe it as it defies description. Go take a
look. It’s an absolute must-see.
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits…may I
direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where you will
scroll down the left side menu till you get to the area that says
Current Tidbits… and then click on it in order to view… the Huma
Bird.
And there ya have it.
That’s it for this week folks.
Catch you all next week.
Benjamin Mark