In the Drawer: Expandable Romantic Empires

This month, we explore John’s interpretation of a myriorama, a 19th-century educational toy and endless landscape card game designed by John Heavisine Clark around 1824. Originally, these aquatint cards were called “The Many Thousand Views” because they could fit together to create endless landscape combinations.

John has repurposed cards from the series to craft his decoupage collection titled “Expandable Romantic Empire” – a collection of all 30 cards arranged on 6.5” x 14.5” decoupage trays, switchback covers, a tray from our Picture Book Series, and vase and cup designs for Astier de Villatte, as well as matchboxes for HomArt.

Next, select products to showcase

Browse the Full Romantic Empire Series

Scenic 18 (p 104)

$195.00

Expandable Empire Vase

$420.00

#17 Expandable Empire

$140.00

In the Drawer

Our "In the Drawer" series, takes you inside John Derian's studio drawers to uncover his collection of 18th and 19th-century collection of books, ephemera, artifacts, and more.

As a life-long collector, John shares his favorite discoveries, offering the stories behind each unique item and how he has brought them back to life today.

Open them all here ›