Today is October 31st, and as demonstrated by the modern western celebration of Halloween (which, by the by, is a fascinating study if you don't already know the history!) all the way to the eastern veneration of spirits and ancestry, each culture has its own practices of superstition. Most people don't still take ancient myths and folklore seriously, but that doesn't stop us from avoiding black cats on Halloween and knocking on wood after a particularly risky statement. In fact, the enjoyment of superstition, myths, lore, and storytelling is key to our fascination with all things eastern and exotic.

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 So let me tell you the story of the Foo Dogs...

"Foo Dogs" is the corroded western term for fú shi ("prosperity lions") or Chinese Imperial guardian lions. These lions can be seen outside palaces, temples, and the private residences of the very wealthy. Lions are not native to the Orient but were brought from India and the Middle East through the Silk Road trade route. Both presented by diplomats as a tribute to the Han court and introduced into Buddhist teaching by the monk Hulin, the "shi" lion slowly but deeply became intrenched into religious and nationalistic iconography. Hulin taught that the lions are protectors of dharma, a Buddhist belief in the balance and circle of life. This teaching, merged with the animals' innate power and regal bearing, made them perfectly suited as imperial guardians. The lions are always presented in pairs: one male and one female: yin and yang. The male is placed on the left with his paw on the earth, depicting domination. The female on the left is presented with her paw on a cub, representing protection and nurture. The pair was thought to bring blessing and provide protection for the inhabitants of the structure over which they stood watch. 

Is it any wonder that with such a rich backstory, Mayme LOVES anything Foo (we could be snobby and say "Fú")? Just look at this shot from her and her son's trip to China last year. She was smitten with the highly stylized, beautiful statues! Is it any wonder that she incorporates foo dogs into her decor scheme whenever possible?

Consider the material shagreen, a leather made from the scaly hides of rays and sharks. Its use can be traced back many centuries to Asian warrior culture, serving both a practical and decorative function on anything from spectacle cases to scabbards. Fast-forward to the 1700s, when the material found its way into upper-class European decor and sparked a trend even among lay people, who began to pound their more accessible leathers with pebbles to imitate the bumpy texture. {DIY was alive and well!} Shagreen gained popularity in the United States in the 1930s as an exotic facet of the Art Deco movement...

NOW. October 24, 2013: shagreen is trending again, this time for a much less exclusive audience. But if shagreen has been prized throughout history for its exclusivity, its durability, and its aesthetic, what happens when two of those are taken away {enter FAUX shagreen!}? All that is left is the aesthetic, which, depending on the quality of the imitation, may range in appeal. On the other hand, what happens if shagreen is harvested irresponsibly? Environmental values and ethics are at stake. Ironically, to shagreen or not to shagreen is just as personal a choice today as it ever was. A "green" purist may appreciate authentic shagreen but be wary of the environmental consequences and therefore avoid it. A pragmatic fashionista may not care whether or not the shagreen is real, but go for the cheaper faux simply because it is cheaper. What do you think? What place should shagreen occupy in popular culture?

Here are a few of our favorite contemporary shagreen picks, {both real and faux}...

DECOR:

Regina Andrew Design {if you remember from the last post, we have a sister chest in our studio right now!}

Yannick Chastang {this is a custom piece by the artist; isn't the detail unbelievable?} 

FASHION:

left: Morven Mulgrew custom {worn by a very fashionable bride!} right: Dara Ettinger Portia earrings

left: Gigi New York Iris cross-body bag  right: Chrissie Morris Farrah sandals

We've certainly been scheming here in the studio! Color scheming, that is. We have received shipment after shipment of market goodies for the past two weeks. Not everything has arrived yet, but I couldn't resist sharing a few vignettes at this stage after Mayme whirled through and placed the new treasures with a wave of her wand...

 scheme in blue, {accented with some amazing faux banana leaves. trompe l'oeil in real time, friends!}

scheme in green, {with envy, if you must}

scheme in plum and aqua-ducks

scheme in rainbow, {see what I did there, LOVE...}

See something you love?

Give us a call (864.467.1930) and stop by the showroom. Not in Greenville? Some of this may be coming to the online shop, but not all of it, so please, either call or email info@maymebakerstudio.com for specific inquiries.

We would love to hear from you, even if we don't have the joy of seeing your face.