More fun finds from Sunday's Antiquites Brocante at Place de la Bastille in Paris include three tea towels bearing my late grandfather's initials; a large damask tablecloth with a reverse-pattern acorn design and another cloth with a hand-embroidered patterned border at both fringed ends. As though I need more fussy French linens to iron! But who can resist such offerings from the past?
A child's petite porcelain cafe au lait bowl features hand-painted scenes from popular nursery rhymes.
Everyday kitchen glasses and glass pots de confiture (jam or preserves pots) to add to my collection.
This is the biggest electric transformer cover I've ever seen! The size of a dinner plate, the teal blue glass transformer cover weighs ten pounds! The seller had five available; I envisoned them turned upside down (as pictured) and holding candles for summer evenings on the balcony. Once I lifted the heavy item, I decided one would have to do. After all, I also had to carry a 19th-century brass lamp with green opalescent shade as well as my other purchases on the metro, followed by a ten-minute walk to the apartment! Well worth the struggle.
I've been slowly perusing your most recent finds and savoring everything. The transformer cover though is awesome. What a fabulous find
Posted by: Annie | 17 May 2006 at 09:00
more great finds. love the jam pots!
Posted by: jennifer | 16 May 2006 at 05:06
I am salivating! You have a terrific eye! Next trip to Paris, I'm going to check out this brocante at Place de la Bastille. I love those confiture pots!
Posted by: Colette | 16 May 2006 at 03:46
Thanks for your comment on my just-started blog and do keep reading for Madrid/Spanish news and trivia.
As you're so interested in antiques and bric-a-brac, I'm sure you know the Rastro street market in Madrid.....?
Posted by: belinda coombes | 15 May 2006 at 22:57
You will not believe this but I have got EXACTLY the same tea towels - only mine have my great, great grandmothers initials embroidered into them! Wow! They are over, ooohhh, I am sure they are well over 70 years old but they are still going strong!!
Posted by: Hundred and one | 15 May 2006 at 20:47
Such treasures!! Isn't it amazing what calls your name - I mean you hear you name (I do, but don't think I am a crazed person). These are wnoderful treasures, especially the linens and the transformer cover. I have a rusted metal part from of a gigantic implement on my porch (How could something of such base functionality have such lovely curves and form?) that honestly too, two strong men to lift from the car trunk and carry through the house. Sometimes it is just worth the pain!!
Posted by: Rebekah | 15 May 2006 at 19:49
Have you ever thought about starting a little e-bay business with the French treasures you find? People buy anything, I am sure there are people who would LOVE to buy real antiques from a Paris market! People who can't go there, who love France and Europe... I think you could make money.
:)
Posted by: amber | 15 May 2006 at 17:22
Well worth the struggle, indeed! You've found some beautiful things! I'm glad that you shared your treasures with us! xo
Posted by: Cate | 15 May 2006 at 17:12