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Elisina Tyler to Mildred Barnes Bliss, October 19, 1926

Hotel MarceauNow the Hôtel Le Belmont.
Rue de Bassano
October 19th 1926Tuesday.

Dearest Mildred,

The TurbanThe Blisses had acquired a Kufic-script inscribed turban (BZ.1926.2) from the Parisian dealer Paul Mallon in October 1926. is, in my opinion a very grand and noble object. Almost worthy of that perfect fragment you showed me, and which hit me straight in the midriff—as Antigny did long ago,—with one and the same inevitable imperiousness. I am so very glad it is yours.

As to Vignier’s anklet,The Blisses did not acquire the “anklet” mentioned by Elisina Tyler, and it has not been identified.—I don’t feel at all the same order of appeal from it. I shall be glad to hear Royall’s answer to it, for my edification, and as he is coming in the early morning of the 25th I hope that will be possible.

Do go to see Kalebdjian, 21 rue Balzac. He has some very beautiful Egyptian stone vases,Royall Tyler acquired a number of Egyptian hardstone vases, although the circumstances of their acquisition are not recorded. A porphyritic diorite vase from the predynastic-period Nagada II/First Dynasty, ca. 3500–2900 BCE, 15 cm H., and a red Breccia vase from the predynastic-period Nagada II/ First Dynasty, ca. 3500–2900 BCE, 12.3 cm H., were sold for $50,000 and $18,750, respectively, at Sotheby’s New York, “Egyptian, Classical, and Western Asiatic Antiquities,” December 8, 2011, N08810, lots 38 and 39. A hardstone (Breccia?) vase from the predynastic-period Nagada III/First Dynasty, ca. 3200–2900 BCE, 8.2 cm H., and a porphyrtic diorite vase from the predynastic-period Nagada II/III, ca. 3600–3000 BCE, 16.1 cm H., were sold for $46,875 and $25,000, respectively, at Sotheby’s New York, “Egyptian, Classical, and Western Asiatic Antiquities,” June 7, 2012, N08871, lots 1 and 2. some quite supremely grand, in my opinion. K. seems on his best behaviour and does not indulge in too many fantasies of attribution. These stone vases are so rare, it is a great satisfaction to see a good collection. Some, like cast iron, others like mutton fat, are lovely, and a variety in tender bois-de rose“Rosewood.” make a brilliant foil.

I am off to Antigny tomorrow morning early, and I shall come back on Monday. It is so good to cherish the hope of seeing you both again so soon. I enjoyed my lunch with you more than I can tell you.

Bill writes in his letter to-day, thanking me for my birthday wishes: “Tempus fugit“Time flies.” with a vengeance.” The imp.

My very best love.

Ever yours,
Elisina
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Associated People: Charles Vignier; Paul Mallon
Associated Things: Kalebdjian Frères
Associated Artworks: BZ.1926.1; BZ.1926.2