- IMPORTANT INFORMATION -

WE'VE GOT A NEW SITE !

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEW BLOG

THANKS

Heritage Research

Our friends at Heritage Research have very kindly featured us on their Blog/Journal. These guys make some fantastic vintage inspired clothing, you should definitely take the time to look at their journal as well as the new spring summer collection for 2011.

www.heritageresearch.co.uk 

Battle this month

Christmas at Battle

Perfect Winter wear??

Now at Battle - Skulls with a difference

Above are a couple of examples of a fantastic new product range available at Battle now. Real and replica skulls covered in beautiful 22ct Gold leaf.

The perfect gift for Christmas, with prices starting at £180. Come and see the rest of the range on display at Battle.

Inside Battle - November

Battle - November window

A look into Battle

Battles temptation of St Anthony - A closer look

The temptation of St Anthony - In the Shop now

The tempation of St Anthony has been the subject of religious art since 10th century Italian Frescos. The subject appeared again later in etchings and paintings of the 15th and 16th centuries. In around 1500 Hieronymus Bosch interpreted the beasts and demons in a tryptic on the subject, and in more modern times the visions of St Anthony have been depicted in works by Salivdor Dali and Max Ernst.

The story behind the vast array of artwork is a fascinating one and has arguably inspired some of the most mythical beast laden work the world of art has seen.

We currently have a fantsastic print in the shop depicting this story. It dates from between 1720 -1730 and was originally created 85 years earlier by Jacques Callot. Callot was a highly talented artist and worked across many genres and mediums, often turning to grotesque and satire which, since these genres were officially ‘in disgrace', were not widespread in 17th-century art. The version we have in the shop at the moment has been hand coloured at some point in its life and features a different dedication to that of the image above. For more information about the print please contact us at info@readyforbattle.co.uk or 01273 687880.

The life of Anthony the Great has fascinated many artists, for good reasons; the story follows that the devil fought St Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women, which he overcame by the power of prayer. After that, he moved to a tomb, where he resided and closed the door on himself, depending on some local villagers who brought him food. When the devil perceived his ascetic life and his intense worship, he was envious and beat him mercilessly, leaving him unconscious. When his friends from the local village came to visit him and found him in this condition, they carried him to a church.

After he recovered, he made a second effort and went back to the desert, further out, to a mountain by the Nile. Here he lived strictly enclosed in an old abandoned Roman fort for some twenty years. The devil again resumed his war against Saint Anthony, only this time the phantoms were in the form of wild beasts, wolves, lions, snakes and scorpions. They appeared as if they were about to attack him or cut him into pieces. But the Saint would laugh at them scornfully and say, "If any of you have any authority over me, only one would have been sufficient to fight me." At his saying this, they disappeared as though in smoke, and God gave him the victory over the devil. While in the fort he only communicated with the outside world by a crevice through which food would be passed and he would say a few words. Saint Anthony would prepare a quantity of bread that would sustain him for six months. He did not allow anyone to enter his cell: whoever came to him, stood outside and listened to his advice.

Then one day he emerged from the fort with the help of villagers to break down the door. By this time most had expected him to have wasted away, or gone insane in his solitary confinement, but he emerged healthy, serene, and enlightened. Everyone was amazed he had been through these trials and emerged spiritually rejuvenated. He was hailed as a hero and from this time forth the legend of Anthony began to spread and grow.

A Spectacle to behold - Cutler and Gross

Started nearly 40 years ago, Cutler and Gross are still making some of the finest Spectacles money can buy. We've been a big fan of these Glasses for a number of years now being of a bespectacled nature.

From their classic designs to the choice of colours and finishes, Cutler and Gross hit the mark on every count. A particular favourite of ours are the Tortoiseshell half rims and their solid rimmed brothers, with no two Tortoiseshell being the same. Feeling slightly more adventurous? Why not give the pair below a try.

Ethnographic art from around the globe - Part One

Battle would like to share with you a selection of the Ethnographic pieces that we currently have in the shop. This collection spans continents giving an insight into the tribal cultures, customs and artistry across the globe. We hope it will inspire you to share with us an apprecition of Ethnographic art and tribal culture. All of the pieces in this collection are for sale and individually priced, for more information do not hesitate to contact us at info@readyforbattle.co.uk.

Senufo, Ivory coast: Zoomorphic Wanyugo mask.
Used in ceremonies for detecting and destroying negative forces and harmful spirits who in the shape of monsters or wild animals threaten people in times of crisis or vulnerability. Sometimes known as "fire-spitters" because their mouths were reported to have been filled with hot coals on occasion. When the masks performed the dancers blew on the coals producing showers of sparks.
Mid 20th century £380

The most extraordinary Georgian - John Hunter

We highly recommend a trip to the Hunterian Museum based inside the Royal College of Surgeons, London. John Hunter's amazing collection was purchased by the government in 1799 and although two thirds of the accumulated pieces were destroyed by bombs in World War II it is still a truly fascinating place to visit.

A View Into Battle

Welcome to aViewIntoBattle, the new blog from Battle Antiques & Oddities. aViewIntoBattle will not only showcase some of the constantly changing stock in the shop but give an insight into the sources from around the globe that give us inspiration.