'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing'.
Okay folks, we do realise that is charming item postdates Keats by nearly a couple of centuries, but it seems to us (and we hope you agree) that there is a kind of ethereal kinship between the two.
Yes! On a par with Keats, this is fine art at its finest. The glorious frame with its slightly baroque wibble is crafted from glorious milk-chocolate-coloured plastic and it surrounds a scene of such outstanding beauty it will make your friends drool and gasp. Against a photographic back-drop of ruminating cows and dinky alpine chalets is a three dimensional model: a man (with the head of a hedgehog), having drunk from the bottle marked Austria at his side (never tried this beverage ourselves but it seems to have done the trick) sleeps away the afternoon – his right hand pointing to …..no……no….. we won’t go there!
“What beauty to behold!” we hear you cry – as we see you rummaging in your trouser pockets for the necessary wherewithal “We must buy this stunning artwork without delay!”
But stay your hand gentle reader – we have not finished. Beneath Mr Hedgehog’s tussock we fine a small string – one deft tug and Mr Hedgehog comes to life – his abdomen heaves up and down, and he snores. We jest not…. This is flat art, three dimensional art and kinetic art all rolled into one – with free alluring sound effect thrown in.
Don’t even think of giving this to someone who snores ……
About 8 x 5½ inches
The back reads:
Original PETER
Inzing*-Austria
Copyright 1968
* ‘Inzing is a town in the Austrian Tyrol. The industry, which is locadet at the east of the village, is affected by wood-working’. (Wikipedia)
Well this thing certainly wasn’t.
