22.00 USD
An Aulette is one who plays an Aulos, the ancient Greek musical instrument our model is here pictured as playing. It was not a flute, or a whistle, but a reeded intrument. Archeological evidence suggests it was double reeded like the shawm, or oboe. According to Wikipedia, "Plato associates it with the ecstatic cults of Dionysus and the Korybantes," which certainly fits with the common theme of the Dionysian cult running through so much of Belle Epoque arts and entertainment media. The Wikipedia article also notes that in "The History of Musical Instruments" by Curt Sachs, 1940, the sound of the instrument was reported as being "penetrating, insisting and exciting." That description may not bring the oboe immediately to mind, but we have heard the shawm played a few times by a wonderful group of German folk musicians, Wolgemut, and those adjectives definitely apply to their playing of the shawm.
We include, for your pleasure, but not for sale, an old postcard image of an ancient Greek or Roman stone image of an aulette.
Our beautifully hand-colored postcard reflects the obsession of the period with the romance of classical Greece. Many Hermetic mystery organizations, like that of British occultist Dion Fortune, though practicing a Qabbalistic brand of magic, placed a great deal of emphasis on rites of Pan, etc. This is certainly a very magical image!
A wonderful thing about many of these old Croissant (yes, like the pastry, but referring simply to the crescent moon :) cards, is that the backside is often almost as decorative as the front. Wonderful Art Nouveau decoration.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
Postage is for first class shipping in a secure photo mailer, and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will refund the postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of sudden increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more.
And please come visit our blog at:
redpoulaine.blogspot.com
where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!