But Is It (Hidden) Art?

While merrily clicking links to the gorgeous goodies on holycool yesterday, we were reminded of how much we like The Hidden Art Shop, a repository of "unique, special and distinctive" wares. So we combed through their inventory to disentangle any items which we thought were especially Alicesque.

We're very taken with the Blaue Blume range of tea things which combines an ornate Victorian feel with modern, surreal sensibilities. (Click pics to enlarge)

 Blaue Blume Teapot

 Blaue Blume Teacup

Blaue Blume Petit Four stand

We love how the legs in this petit four stand look like they might belong to Alice on her way down the rabbit hole. (We are also quite intrigued by that unexpected head at the bottom.)

We're smitten with this Desk Tidy which resembles a cluster of teacups and think it would look terrific on the Footsie Table, which has a rather unsettling Wonderlandish air.

And we think the table would be complimented by these elegant Tree Glasses.

We like how they suggest not only the tulgey wood in the poem Jabberwocky, but also that woodland dreamscape that seems so common to the unconscious minds of many of us.

At first glance the Animal Magic Wallpaper seems to be nothing more than a rather sophisticated wall covering, suitable for a child's bedroom perhaps. But on closer inspection you will see that this paper would have been a perfect addition to our Halloween post as, printed on top of the basic silhouette, there is a representation of the animals' skeletons.

Because the skeletons are applied using a glossy varnish, they are only visible while your room is well-lit. When you turn the light off they disappear. Nightmare-proof design!

And finally, some more wonderful, whimsical tea things.

We deeply covet the Contact Cup and Saucer because it reminds us of this moment from the book:

"The first witness was the Hatter. He came in with a teacup in one hand and a piece of bread-and-butter in the other. `I beg pardon, your Majesty,' he began, `for bringing these in: but I hadn't quite finished my tea when I was sent for.'
`Give your evidence,' said the King; `and don't be nervous, or I'll have you executed on the spot.'
This did not seem to encourage the witness at all: he kept shifting from one foot to the other, looking uneasily at the Queen, and in his confusion he bit a large piece out of his teacup instead of the bread-and-butter."

Delicious.