These small "advertising plates" were gifted to me by my sidekick, Monsieur L, who finds such minuscule things très adorable!... but they are well-made and substantial, in the sense that they represent the existence of once thriving establishments in a Paris [and Geneva] of another age...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Faience
Who could resist a rustic piece of french glazed earthenware to warm up any table or sideboard or hand...
Although the supply of fresh choices seem endless, old pieces that have been used for decades, perhaps by the same family, are harder and harder to come by - they have been so collectible... and breakable!
Jug/Pitcher/Pichet
jaspé swirl or marbleized glaze treatment
[this piece had been used for storing oil]turn of the 19th/20th century, [found at the Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris still sticky with oil residue!]
[15 cm high x 16 cm wide to handle/ 11 cm wide top x 9.5 cm wide base]
CAD/US$300/Euros200
Terrine with Lid
19th century, [found at a flea market in Utrecht]
[8 cm high without lid on/ 12 cm high with lid/ 9 cm wide top and base/
lid 11 cm wide]
Although the supply of fresh choices seem endless, old pieces that have been used for decades, perhaps by the same family, are harder and harder to come by - they have been so collectible... and breakable!
Jug/Pitcher/Pichet
jaspé swirl or marbleized glaze treatment
[this piece had been used for storing oil]turn of the 19th/20th century, [found at the Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris still sticky with oil residue!]
[15 cm high x 16 cm wide to handle/ 11 cm wide top x 9.5 cm wide base]
CAD/US$300/Euros200
*****
Terrine with Lid
19th century, [found at a flea market in Utrecht]
[8 cm high without lid on/ 12 cm high with lid/ 9 cm wide top and base/
lid 11 cm wide]
Monday, July 13, 2009
Holy Smoke and Water
I have sat in dimly lit churches where the priest in his ornate chasuble robe walks by slowly swinging a censer, wafting clouds of incense smoke...the senses are soon lulled by the pungent scent, the sonorous incantations, the flickering candles, and of course, the invocation to a higher purpose...
Censer
19th century, [found at an antique fair in Chatou outside of Paris]
Bronze, [some minor dents]
[27 cm high x 14 cm at the widest]
[attached "cup" inside for burning the incense; the chains are used for swinging it during a religious ritual to distribute the smoke]
CAD/US$500/Euros350
*****
Friday, July 10, 2009
Bénitiers
These two lovely bénitiers from Lourdes to hold drops of holy water were found in Paris on separate occasions...
[Over the years I have come across some beautiful pieces but they were always coveted by certain clients and I have had to let them go!]
Detail of the metal relief attached to the below bénitiere depicting the miraculous vision of Bernadette in the grotto of Lourdes...
[Over the years I have come across some beautiful pieces but they were always coveted by certain clients and I have had to let them go!]
Detail of the metal relief attached to the below bénitiere depicting the miraculous vision of Bernadette in the grotto of Lourdes...
Monday, July 6, 2009
Virgins [Mary only]
I don't come across many lovely Virgins anymore, especially ones that I must have!
The first two featured below I had found in Paris years ago and have been held in thrall ever since by such exquisite delicacy of details...
Does her face not emit the sweetest expression of love?
CAD/US$200/Euros140
*This tiny crowned Virgin and Child is based on the statue above the east transept altar in the 17th century Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church built by Louis XIII in Paris [2eme Arr.]
*****
The first two featured below I had found in Paris years ago and have been held in thrall ever since by such exquisite delicacy of details...
Does her face not emit the sweetest expression of love?
c. late 19th century
spelter
[13 cm high/ 3.5 x 5.5. cm base]
CAD/US$200/Euros140
*This tiny crowned Virgin and Child is based on the statue above the east transept altar in the 17th century Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church built by Louis XIII in Paris [2eme Arr.]
*****
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