Thursday, 20 November 2025

Does Someone Have A Screw Loose?

I quite like the work of the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt [1862-1918] He was fascinated by Impressionism, Symbolism and Art Nouveau and created some spectacular works. He painted naturalistic figures- but often against sensuous, complex backgrounds - with rich colours, geometric designs and using deep and bright colours. On Tuesday, one of his paintings sold for a record sum.

Two of the most well known are "Portrait of Emily Floge" and "The Kiss" So I was quite excited to spot a jigsaw, reduced to £1 in the Cancer Research Charity Shop. It was in a round box, and the label informed me it was double sided, 19" in diameter, and had 500 pieces. I already have some puzzles yet to do, but this was a bargain!

It was from 'Past Times' - that retailer of retro goods which went into liquidation in 2012, and was bought out by WHSmith [I cannot call them TGJones] I have no idea how old this jigsaw is - but the plastic bag of pieces has never been opened. I suspect [like many PT products] it was given as a gift and never used. Emilie was a fashion designer, it is thought she designed - and maybe stitched - the gown. I know that Kaffe Fassett likes Klimt too, his knitwear is full of coloured patterns like this! 

Inside the box is the sealed bag, a small information leaflet about Klimt - and a small brass screw. We have no idea what it is - and suspect it has nothing to do with the puzzle. But how did it get there? and what is it for? 
Perhaps someone was clearing up the Christmas decorations and found it on the floor, so popped it in the box, and forgot about it.

Which side should I complete first? the blue Emilie, or the golden Kiss?

30 comments:

  1. The loose screw is a mystery! I hope you have fun putting your puzzles together. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will be a good activity on cold evenings

      Delete
  2. We have a place for loose screws etc. 'They might come in useful '. I find that only comes true after they've been thrown away.
    Blue Emilia is my choice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How often have we kept something for ages, then wanted it the week AFTER we got rid of it?

      Delete
  3. Blue Emilie! I used to love the Past Times catalogue arriving!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Blue Emilie first for me! I have completed a triptych of Klimt jjgsaws which took me weeks to do-1000 pieces if stunning colour and pattern. Catriona

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Portrait of Emily Floge just sold at Sotheby's for $236 million! Wonder how much your jigsaw would fetch??!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ps you'd have to have a screw loose to spend that amount on a painting!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a bargain! Blue Emillie would be my first choice too, I love the colours. Regards Sue H

    ReplyDelete
  8. A vote for the gold kiss. I love that one. Nicky K

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Kiss for me, although I love the other one too
    Alison in Devon x

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely find, and all the better for being unopened.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Definitely do Blue Emilie first. Can Bob add the screw to his tin of stuff that might be useful. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't know which to advise you to do first, they both seem as hard as each other.

    What a coincidence, fellow blogger Vix posted about Past Times only the other day when she got an old Past Times carrier bag.

    ReplyDelete
  13. They had very pretty carrier bags

    ReplyDelete
  14. In DH's shop, he has a drawer of found screws, one for extra electrical parts, and one for unknown parts. We seldom need to purchase stuff once he's consulted those drawers!
    I'd do the blue side of the puzzle if you'll be working on it in January.

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2021/03/09/profiles-in-sewing-part-2-emilie-floge Cool article about Emily and the dresses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Than, you SO much, this is a fascinating article. What a woman!

      Delete
  16. That is a lovely find. Years ago we had a poster of "The Kiss" and I really liked Klimt's work, but when we lived in Vienna I got tired of seeing endless "The Kiss" mugs, scarves, umbrellas, place mats and so on, in all the gift shops! I'm not familiar with the blue painting and that would be my first choice to put together. One painting of Klimt's that did impress me was the one of Judith with the head of Holofernes. Now I never saw that on a headscarf!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do worry that she will get a cold on her chest though...

      Delete
    2. She needs a Klimt coverup!

      Delete

Always glad to hear from you - thanks for stopping by!
I am blocking anonymous comments now, due to excessive spam!