April 16, 2009

San Francisco’s Legion of Honor Museum

Posted to Area Attractions

Do You Love What You Cannot Afford? Then the current show at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor Museum is for you!! Now thru May 31, 2009, see the fabulous exhibition of “Artistic Luxury” featuring works by Faberge’, Tiffany and Lalique.

At the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris, Faberge’, Tiffany and Lalique showed simultaneously. That exhibition explores how the designers responded to the demand for luxury goods in the years leading up to World War I.

I was stunned by the beauty and grace of the luxurious and tender hearted Faberge’ Eggs were. Czar Nicholas II commissioned Faberge’ to create two Easter Eggs for his mother and his beloved wife the Czarina Alexandra. Each one held a special surprise inside. For me, the most touching was the egg with the portrait of the Czarina’s adored son the Grand Duke Alexei.

After the fall of imperial Russia, one of the Faberge’ eggs was sold to Prince Rainier of Monaco and given to his beloved Princess Grace (Kelly). This egg was also working a clock which she kept on her desk. After her sudden accidental death, the grief stricken Prince Rainier shut those private rooms of his Princess for 30 years. This egg is now on ‘loan’ for us to see and admire in this wonderful show.

The Iris Brooch by Tiffany circa 1900-1901 made of pink tourmalines, demantoid garnet and set in platinum. I imagined how it would look on a simple black cocktail dress…what a dream!

This exhibition is organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Location:
Lincoln Park, San Francisco
100 34th Avenue
Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:15pm
www.legionofhonor.org
Tel: 415-750-3600

Admission:
Adults: $20; Seniors 65 and over: $17; Youths 13-17 and college students w/ ID: $16
Museum admission is FREE for members and children 12 and under. BTW, a family membership is $170 per year and is partnered w/ San Francisco’s DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park. Where on June 27th the King Tut show opens! You get free admission to both museums w/ one membership! What a terrific deal.

Oh, parking is FREE at the Legion of Honor.

Dining at the museum is really great! On today’s visit I had a sumptuous salad of smoked salmon, with brioche, capers, butter lettuce leaves and deviled eggs garnished with caviar. A delicious paring in light of the recent holiday and the Faberge’ Eggs I had just seen. I shared the best B.L.T. w/ my guest, Rosalie Wilson, Board President of the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, CA. That sandwich had roasted heirloom tomatoes, crisp apple wood cured bacon on toasted homemade white bread. Honestly, I have NEVER been disappointed with a meal at the Legion Café! Simply superb, right down to the china the artfully designed/prepared food is presented on. On the pricy side, but after all, you are dining in one of the cities most beautiful buildings right down the road from Sea Cliff and some of the most expensive real estate in Northern California.

Posted By: Kay Korbel

Comments »

  1. Cindi Mullaly said,

    April 26th, 2009 at 05:18 PM

    Sounds like a very fun and interesting day you had! The Faberge' Eggs sound beautiful, but how you described the lunch! Yum!! --Cindi

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