Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Lady Bracknell has never had any professional involvement in displaying items for retail sale. Nevertheless, she is aware of the basic principle that, to maximise customer interest, it is prudent to display objects to their best advantage. Lighting is, she understands, important. As is utilising a plain background which will not detract from the character and detail of the item one wishes to sell. This is hardly rocket science. Nor, given the fact that we are all consumers ourselves, is it some manner of arcane mystery known only to the enlightened cognoscenti.

The photograph above is taken direct from an ebay listing. Is it for a rather unattractive item of floral clothing which risks exposing the wearer to comment on her resemblance to a country cottage sofa? And from whence do the mysterious bumps and curves originate?

Readers with exceptional eyesight may eventually be able to make out the item being offered for sale (although Lady Bracknell doubts that they will get a clear idea of its detail, or of the calibre of the materials from which it was produced.)

Yes, this photograph is intended to display a vintage necklace! (A further clue for those who are still struggling to make it out is that the necklace is black with gold beads.)

Lady Bracknell confesses that she has difficulty in imagining what can have persuaded the seller that "displaying" this rather plain necklace against so vibrant and distracting a background would be the ideal method of producing the highest possible final bid on the auction.