Monstrous Seahorse in Lime Green & Gold 18th century dress held by the Kyoto Costume

held by the Kyoto Costume Institute (accession AC4428 83-20-2AB)

The turtle is 4

teacup and saucer from the 1950s or 1960s

This hand-stitched Edwardian paper gown is based on a French evening dress designed by Paul Poiret between 1912-1914

It was surprisingly difficult to find a historic illustration of a raccoon that looked right

Monstrous Seahorse in Lime Green & Gold 18th century dress held by the Kyoto CostumeYou are probably looking at this creature and thinking, Judith, thats clearly a Hippocampus, and you would be correct! But the book I found it in called it Equus marinus monstrosus, which translates as Monstrous seahorse. And who can resist a name like that? The book is the delightfully named Monstrorum historia, or History of Monsters, by Ulisse Aldrovandi; it dates from 1642. My monstrous seahorse is 4. 75 inches wide, stitched by hand on 5x7 inch