Peacocks and Ribbons and ???

Ookoo

Ookoo

Registered Guest
I'm trying to describe the design on this wild 70's border print maxi, and words fail me.



It's got peacocks and scrolling ribbons....



But what kind of animal is this?



Here's a shot of the label:



Any ideas? I was guessing maybe camel or boar, but it doesn't quite look like either. And what about the ring in its mouth? Is there some meaning to these images?

It's a groovy dress and it's got me stumped!
 
Wow--great dress with a fabulous print!!! I love that. I totally can see a Medieval theme here, but that animal head doesn't quite do it for me as a boar. At first glance it resembles one, which goes along with the theme. But the teeth look more canine than porcine, especially with the lack of tusks. And the snout doesn't look blunt enough for a boar. But maybe it's a stylized boar or an animal that is fantasy rather than based on an actual specific one?
 
There is a book called "Medieval Clothing & Textiles" that may help. You can see some of it on Google books but perhaps your library may have a copy or something similar.

We need to the Vintage Voyager to chime in here!!! She has done research on so many fabrics and scenes like this she may have an idea.

Really a neat dress - these are the kind I just love to research.

BTW - I am totally seeing a stylized dog...
 
zounds, what a great print/dress! i'd call it a heraldic print. they were fairly popular with the italian designers of this period.
 
Thanks for all of your comments!

I like the Medieval and Heraldic terms to describe it. I guess the mystery creature will have to remain un-named for now.

I didn't notice any signatures in the print when I was taking pictures last night, but I'll look again when I get home. I've googled Saul Villa, and I see that he did sign some of his other designs.

Does anyone have a copy of "Signature Prints" handy? I'm curious if Saul Villa is mentioned in it.


:kiss2: Thanks again!
 
Hi,

WILD! Wonderful too. I think the mystery animal is a wolf. I have a Victorian era purse with a German silver frame, and it has wolfs with heads very similar to that, and one of them has a ring in its mouth, which holds the long silk handles.

Barbara
 
Is the mystery animal supposed to be a door knocker? The tusk or tooth - the way it is curved it is suggested that it goes all the way around and that the view is obstructed, hence being more ornate than the peacock - just a weird weird thought
 
The ring in the wolf's (or whatever it is) mouth looks like a ring on a "hitching post"--where you tie your horse up. Though commonly thought of as a western thing, I assume they had hitching posts in earlier times!
 
A hitching post! Yes! Except in this case, we tie up peacocks instead of horses!

:lol:

I couldn't find any signatures in the print. I kept looking until my eyes went buggy, thinking it might be hidden in the details. I think Amanda was right when she said "Mr. Dino on acid."

Thanks again, everyone. It's always a fun learning experience when I come here!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top