The BNA is a cornucopia of weird and wonderful stories.
Truly, the Archive leaves us open-mouthed with its never-ending supply of stories – it really is like having your own online Scheherazade.
The latest story that made us shake our heads in wonder and amazement is this report about the craze for ‘tortoise bling’ in Paris, during the finals years of the 19th Century.
Our ‘O’ Level French is a wee bit weak and outdated, but we think this is what is known as a sign of ‘le mal du siecle’, rather than ‘le fin de siecle’.
Edinburgh Evening News – Saturday 22 January 1898
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000452/18980122/119/0004
2 comments On Tortoise Bling! The Wearing of Live, Bejewelled Tortoises in Paris in 1898
Wow! I’ve heard of people using certain parts of animals as bling but, not a whole one such as this. The 19th century really is truly different. Thank you for a very informative post!
Hi, am glad you liked it. Yes, they certainly did things differently in the 19th Century – a very strange form of bling indeed. Regards, Grant.