A Madonna and child bisque and porcelain prayer font found today at the brocante at Parc des Princes. It's a 15-minute walk from our apartment. On a cold and rainy day, very few people turned out and perhaps only 50 percent of the usual vendors were present. The brocante takes place every spring and fall at the Paris-St. Germain football stadium in the 16th-arrondisement.
At the Jean Bouin sports stadium across the street - home of rugby champions Stade Francais - an outdoor running and jumping competition had students from schools throughout Paris shivering in their running shorts.
This pewter case for cartes d' visite (calling cards) is similar in style to the Art Nouveau notepad I found recently at Chatou.
After the brocante, I came home for lunch and watched the Ethan Hawke-Julie Delphy film "Before Sunset," which is set in Paris. It's the follow-up to "Before Sunrise," in which a couple meet on a train in Europe and spend a memorable day together.
In the sequel, they meet again when he's in Paris to promote his book. I love the idea of people meeting after a long time apart and sharing their stories of what happened in the interim. And how have you spent your Saturday?
It's rare to find an entire set of wooden bingo numbers from the 1940s. I see dealers at places like Vanves selling the numbers for three to five euros per piece. I bought the whole box for 20 euros! Curiously, the thin cardboard box has a heavy glass top.
This gold medal for musical competition will be used as a paperweight.
I loved Before Sunrise when it came out - I was just the right age and setting of on just the right sorts of adventures to be completely seduced by the romance of it. Then Before Sunset came out and both the actorws, the characters and I had all aged in real time at about the same pace.
Lovely!
Posted by: Frida | 28 March 2007 at 13:26
That card holder looks almost made to go with your notebook... You find the best treasures in your bargain-hunting! xo
Posted by: tinker | 26 March 2007 at 04:28
you find the most remarkable treasures! I like the idea of the medal as a paperweight and that calling card case is delicious. I've seen both of the movies. Have you seen "A Very Long Engagement?"
XOXO
Posted by: Lisa Oceandreamer | 25 March 2007 at 21:00
Tara I am coming to Paris!! Can we go to a market together?
Posted by: tongue in cheek | 25 March 2007 at 18:48
More lovely treasures. The Madonna and child is absolutely stunning.
I must check out Before Sunrise and Before Sunset!
XO
Kristen
Posted by: kristen robinson | 25 March 2007 at 16:55
How wonderful, the thought of carrying calling cards in a beautiful case - not for business, just to let someone know you stopped by.
Love Before Sunset, Ethan Hawke doesn't get nearly enough credit for his honesty as an actor and how about the soft lines around Julie Delpy's eyes and the utterly real moment of possibility at the end - I floated out of the theatre.
And I love your blog, what a fine writer you are.
Posted by: Amy | 25 March 2007 at 14:47
The calling card case is stunning!
Posted by: kenju | 25 March 2007 at 04:55
Wonderful additions to your petit tresors! So sorry to hear about your back pain (you know I know how you're feeling) ...rest up sweet Tara. xo, Deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 25 March 2007 at 03:16
What a trooper you are :) I saw them both and enjoyed them, but then I love independent flicks, much to dave's dismay ;)
How cool to find that calling card case so much like the notepad!
Sending virtual back crack ;) XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 25 March 2007 at 00:36
The holy water font is beautiful! I love those- always a good thing to bless yourself before you go anywhere!
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 24 March 2007 at 22:46
Before Sunrise is one of my favourite films, but I found Before Sunset to be a disappointment. I think maybe I found it kind of depressing that their lives hadn't really lived up to the promise and hope they had during the one night of romance in Vienna. On the DVD extras they talk about following the pair of them through their lives, so perhaps there'll be a third film, who knows what will happen to the pair of them over another 10 years. The ending certainly leaves it open.
Posted by: Kamsin | 24 March 2007 at 19:42
I am planning on going tomorrow, hope it won't rain too much. and I've been dying to watch "Before Sunset" but my local video store doesn't have it!!! can you believe that???
Posted by: Irene | 24 March 2007 at 18:36
As usual, wonderful treasures!!! I love those old calling card cases. I have been looking for the 'perfect' one to hold my own business cards...but the search continues...
Posted by: mymelange | 24 March 2007 at 18:17