Among the brocante collectibles that came home with me from Chatou is this huge dough bowl. It weighs 20 pounds! Something about its bright yellow interior and country origins appeals to me. It makes me happy to look at it! Thankfully, my friend Julie took pity on me traveling home by train and later brought it in her car.
I bought six of these champagne glasses. You turn them upside down, holding the funnel in your hand, as champagne is poured.
This Madonna and child prayer ornament is from Spain. I've photographed it on top of the book Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence. According to the April issue of BBC Homes and Antiques, this book - with its bookjacket - is worth £495 (about $1,000). While I don't have the book jacket, I do have the first trade edition, referenced in the article. It was published by Jonathan Cape in 1935. The book was originally printed in 1926 and distributed privately. I shall contact a rare book expert in London to inquire about my book's value. I wouldn't like to part with it, as it was a gift from my husband. But $1,000 would help pay my daughter's college tuition!
These early 19th-century wooden candles are from a French church.
In keeping with my fascination with religious and spiritual objects, I couldn't resist this bisque porcelain Madonna and child prayer font.
I'm not sure what this is, as inside it's marked like a measuring cup, but has a spout to allow water to flow directly through it. Perhaps it's to water plants? In any event, I'll hang it on the balcony. I like the hand-painted birds, nest and flowers.
This enamel container will hold tea towels or matches in la cuisine.
This decorative tin's cover scene reminds me of the movie Ever After, starring Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott. It's reminiscent of Amboise in the Loire Valley, the artist Leonardo da Vinci's home prior to his death. I also purchased two other tin boxes, one with an art nouveau design.
Until now, I've collected cafe au lait bowls only in red. Perhaps it was the bright yellow of the dough bowl that inspired me to buy some yellow ones, along with the yellow-checked tablecloth.
This trumpeting angel once graced a cabinet or doorknob. I'm going to add it to a wooden architectural fragment and hang it on the wall.
Utilitarian objects, including a wire cooling rack, a stoneware marmelade jar from Scotland and a tin funnel are now ensconced in my kitchen.
These prize plaques for horse competitions will hang in the kitchen, along with butcher's prize medallions collected at various flea markets.
The provencal bowl is for confit isn't it? See the spout, isn't it intended to pour out the syrup? At least that is what they use them for down here where provencal pottery was used...
Nevertheless, your finds are heart stoppers and I am happy they found a home with you!
Tara responds:
Corey, you might be right about the bowl - although I thought the confit bowls were smaller and this one weighs 20 pounds. In any event, I'm thrilled with it and will have fun filling it with various things.
Posted by: tongue in cheek | 16 March 2007 at 21:11
You got some great stuff here. I have that same Marmalade Jar in my kitchen. You are on for the visit in September to the Ham Fair I wouldn't miss it for the world stallholders - beware 2 ladies with attitude coming!
Posted by: Di Overton | 16 March 2007 at 13:30
Yellow & religious was the theme of your treasure chest. My favorite was those champagne glasses. Very cool booty!
Posted by: Tammy | 15 March 2007 at 22:04
Oh! Congratulations for bringing these home. I'll take them all - haha!!
The Champagne glasses are unusual. I've never seen them in real life. Salud!
Posted by: Colette | 15 March 2007 at 18:14
Fabulous finds! I'm coveting the dough bowl and the cafe au lait bowls but I love the pitcher and enamel holder too!
Posted by: Lynda | 15 March 2007 at 16:35
BeaUtimus treasure! and I'm in love with yellow lately too! I like the price tag of that book! xo
Posted by: berrie | 15 March 2007 at 12:08
Thank you for sharing these treasures with us...
Posted by: Philippe | 15 March 2007 at 09:56
Thank you for sharing these treasures with us...
Posted by: Philippe | 15 March 2007 at 09:55
I am absolutely totally jealous of your religious items - I am glowing green! oh gawd, i would think I had died and gone to heaven if I could find such treasures.
Posted by: miss*R | 15 March 2007 at 09:26
Glad you didn't have to carry the 20 lb bowl back by train - wonderful find. So many delightful treasures you've found, Tara!
Posted by: tinker | 15 March 2007 at 06:11
Such wonderful treasures!! I'm fascinated by those champagne glasses, I can imagine the gatherings you will have with these. Also love both of the Madonna and child objects.
Posted by: Willow Grace | 15 March 2007 at 04:58
Your treasures just blow me away, Tara. I love the religious icons and cafe au lait bowls. I have been to Saint Malo so have to like the horse competition plaque from there.
Girl, you are such a shopper. You bought more in one day than I've bought in three years. I'm pathetic. I gaze and dream. You dive right in. I need to take a page from your book.
Tara responds:
Annie, in a place like this you have to strike while the iron is hot. If you hesitate, someone else will snap up the item you want. And as they're old objects, you may never see another like them. These items were bought during two visits to Chatou and thankfully, a friend carried some things home in her car. It takes three trains to get to Chatou from my apartment, plus a long walk to and from the train stations. Yes, I am a serious shopper! And if I'd had the money, I would have bought more! :)
Posted by: AnnieElf | 15 March 2007 at 04:39
Wish I can see your house with all these lovely things in it!!!
Posted by: Gypsy Purple--Chamara | 15 March 2007 at 04:21
Tara-My favorites are the large bowl and the champagne glasses. I am lucky enough to have a very old pottery berry bowl with a wire handle. It's a family piece about 150 years old. I love the character of my bowl. Pottery pieces seem to hold the past better than other materials!
Posted by: Flights | 15 March 2007 at 03:37
You have such an amazing eye Tara, I covet each of your scores. I love those wooden candles and that hanging waterpot thing? It's incredible and I can imagine it on your Parisian balcony.
Posted by: kristen | 15 March 2007 at 02:45
Thank you so much for sharing Paris with us...these treasures are magnificent! (don't know how to say that in French)
Posted by: gemma | 15 March 2007 at 02:34
Oh my how wonderful to come home with such amazing treasures I do believe the angel is my fav.
XO
Kristen
Posted by: Kristen Robisnon | 15 March 2007 at 01:13
Tara,
I love your champagne glasses..and that enamel container would go perfectly in my kitchen...those cherries and the french green trim...a perfect match with my decor! Spring will be here soon..and with it comes flea market madness! I can't wait! You have really gotten me in the mood now!!!
Posted by: robin | 15 March 2007 at 00:53
You have the BEST stuffffff!! I'm gaga over those champagne glasses. Yum!
Posted by: Mizsmoochielips | 15 March 2007 at 00:49
Tara,
You did very well with your choices. I'll bet you drew some inquisitive stares on the train trip home. ;-)
rel
Posted by: rel | 15 March 2007 at 00:48
Wow you found some wonderful things! The dough bowl is just gorgeous and I love the upside down champagne glasses! Great finds...good luck with the book. Nel
Posted by: nel | 14 March 2007 at 23:49