Miss Kitty Bellairs

Meet Miss Kitty Bellairs — flirtatious, witty, charming, and utterly irresistible. At the heart of this jewel-like mixed-media piece sits a 19th century vintage postcard depicting the beloved character as she appeared in popular culture: a dark-haired beauty adorned with jewels, gazing out with the knowing confidence of a woman who always gets the last word.

Miss Kitty first captured hearts in "The Bath Comedy" (1900), a novel by Agnes and Egerton Castle set in the elegant English resort city of Bath, where this 18th century Irish noblewoman finds herself swept up in a whirlwind of romantic intrigue, duels, and mistaken identities. Her story proved so irresistible that it was adapted into a hit 1903 Broadway play by David Belasco, and later into two feature films (1916 and 1930).

Jan Talley has honored her with a setting worthy of her legend: the postcard is centered in a teal mat and surrounded by a gold damask background hand-painted with roses and flowing vines, a vivid orange butterfly, cherubs, and scattered pearl embellishments, ribbon, and rhinestones. The frame itself is decoupaged with vintage sheet music — a nod to the musical world Miss Kitty would have inhabited — and finished with metal stars at the corners. Every element is three-dimensional, making this a piece you’ll want to touch as much as admire.

Medium: Mixed-media with 3D elements — 19th century vintage postcard, hand-painted gold damask background, pearls, ribbon, rhinestones, cherubs, butterfly; frame decoupaged with vintage sheet music
Dimensions: 23" H × 19" W (with frame)
Frame: Included — vintage sheet music decoupaged frame with metal star accents
Condition: One-of-a-kind original artwork
Display: Ready to hang

Shipping is variable and will be determined upon purchase.