Last fall I was in Antwerp, Belgium visiting my friend, transplanted New Zealander-and-photographer Di Mackey. She kindly accompanied me to the "antiques row" of Antwerp. In one antiques store, I was thrilled to discover books in English with gorgeous Art Nouveau covers. They were part of the display, but I persuaded the owner to sell them - for five euros!
I was captivated by these two 19th-century iron, metal and leather dress forms (see second one on the table in the background). Considering that these are quite rare - and my daughter is a designer - how could I resist? The problem was getting them back to Paris. They're waiting in Di and her husband Gert's apartment to be picked up. Maybe after the snows melt?
Speaking of snow, this antique sled was among the interesting items on offer at this particular shop.
This huge early 20th-century pharmacy cabinet (which took up an entire wall) was once in a pharmacy school. The cabinet comes with a framed black-and-white photo of the graduating class.
Shall I tell you a secret? Antwerp is filled with beautiful antiques - for about a third less than the prices in Paris. If you're an Art Nouveau fan, you'll be in seventh heaven here. I'm planning a repeat visit to this charming city very soon. It's only two hours by train from Paris and well worth the visit for the architecture alone.
I know, which is why I'll be selling some things on eBay soon. Yes, antiques are less expensive in Antwerp, with quite a varied selection. We'll have to go together some time.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 21 January 2009 at 12:00
I think everyone covets that pharmacy cabinet. Like you, I have a thing for drawers and cubbyholes in which to organise things. And you're right that the new things that have lots of drawers just can't hold a candle to the older models.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 21 January 2009 at 11:58
You have stuff everywhere :)
I love that leather dress form and I didn't know antiques were cheaper in Antwerp.
Posted by: Di Overton | 21 January 2009 at 11:20
What a treasure trove! Oh, that pharmacy cabinet - sigh. I have such a thing for drawers...They don't make things with real drawers, anywmore...
Posted by: tinker | 20 January 2009 at 09:14
Yes, I've purchased antiques from Belgium before, but Antwerp's antiques market surpasses Brussels in quality and selection, in my humble opinion.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 19 January 2009 at 18:15
Tara, Great find!! You've stumbled upon my one of my favorite antiques districts in Europe... Belgium in general has sensational prices on Antiques... and the antiques district is so compact and chocked full of wonderful discoveries!
Best,
The Antiques Diva
Posted by: The Antiques Diva | 19 January 2009 at 16:58
Your house sounds lovely, even without high ceilings. I long for storage like that pharmacy cabinet, too.
Yes, aren't the dress forms great? I think my daughter will be pleased when she eventually gets them for her studio.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 19 January 2009 at 14:15
Such wondrous stuff! Everything would fit here style-wise except that our hundred year old home only has 7 foot ceilings. Our style is eclectic but old. Every time we find a cabinet like this, it is too tall or too wide. We have little wall space due to doors and windows. (And to think I moved here from an apartment with 14 foot ceilings!) I long for this kind of storage! (Tiny old houses do not have closets in them.)
Divine dress form! Would be charming adorned with a fichu, etc.
Posted by: Helen | 19 January 2009 at 13:57
Hope to speak to you soon, dearest Mads. As for globes, I heart them too! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 19 January 2009 at 11:57
I think Bruges and Antwerp have more charm than Brussels, although it's a nice city. Brussels has a wonderful colonial museum featuring the journals and travel items of such great British explorers as Speakes and Livingston.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 19 January 2009 at 11:55
You are right! And the train station in Antwerp has a city zoo right next door!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 19 January 2009 at 11:54
On French television recently I saw an episode of the American series "Lipstick Jungle" in which they used a dress model like the largest one here and claimed it was Chanel's dress model. :) As for the space occupied by these models, not sure where I'll put them once I get them home. Eventually, they'll be destined for Jordana when she has her own atelier. (Actually she has a small studio space now, complete with dress form, industrial sewing machine, etc.)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 19 January 2009 at 11:53
I'm crazy for that dressmaker form. I collect miniature dressmaker forms;if I had the space I would collect full-sized ones.
It looks like it has the potential for many adjustments. Isn't it unusual to see one with an adjustable skirt? I imagine Dior having used one when he designed the "New Look" right after WWII.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 19 January 2009 at 05:11
I bet the train ride, is as beautiful as these charming antiques.
xxoo
Posted by: Christina | 19 January 2009 at 02:07
I hope to visit one day. Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp all look so pretty- and the antiques are fab- I hear!!
Posted by: My Melange | 19 January 2009 at 01:02
oh! i see a lovely little globe!
i heart them!
i am phoning you this week to hear your beautiful voice
muah!!!
Posted by: maddie | 19 January 2009 at 00:35
Rebekah, you're absolutely right about our society - it will take all of us working together to make things right. And yes, thank God for Tuesday!
I grew up in the South, where we didn't have much snow, so never got to go sledding. How wonderful that you and your siblings did - and on such a cool sled!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 January 2009 at 18:59
Since childhood, I have loved and been fascinated by old things - erego the collections of chipped and worn prizes in my home. But, today, entering stores like you show, being wrapped in the fragrances of these vestiges of the past, gives me hope for survival. I'm just praying that we as a society can summon deep strength we have not tapped before to establish a stronger framework and more sustainable values. Thank God for promises in new leadership. Thank God for Tuesday. By the way, the sled looks just like one I used to ride down hills as a child in Alberta. Antique indeed. Well, I think it was probably an antique when my siblings and I used it. There, I feel better!
Posted by: Rebekah | 18 January 2009 at 18:22
All these items would be perfect for the Anthropologie windows!
Posted by: Anne | 18 January 2009 at 17:52
Some lucky person is probably filling that cabinet with their own things by now. Sigh.
Yes, show me the fireplace cover, please! xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 January 2009 at 17:19
Yes! I'm an Art Nouveau fan. I'll post a pic of my fireplace cover for you, would you identify it for me? (And the typewriter, next post.)
Lucky you, trucking about from country to country meeting all sorts. Antwerp would be lovely. I want that cabinet.
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 18 January 2009 at 16:57
Oh lucky you! What a thoughtful husband you have! I had one of those card catalogues once - had to sell it when I was moving to Europe. I really was torn about it, although I sold it to an artist who loved it almost as much as I did.
As for the pharmacy cabinet, if there was any way I could have fit it into my already over-crowded apartment, I would have! Sigh. There's simply no room.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 January 2009 at 16:56
Ohhh, the pharmacy cabinet! Look at those drawers!
Dear Husband just bought me a card catalog cabinet that was being sold by the University of Missouri- drove eight hours to pick it up and drive it home to me. The "almost-grew-up-to-be-a-librarian" in me is THRILLED. Yesterday I spent the afternoon taking off the stickers and taped-on papers, sanding off adhesive...leaving the rest of the finish of course. Today I'll vacuum out the interior, decide whether or not I want to keep the metal card bars intact, and start sorting my crafting items drawer by drawer.
If I ever found a pharmacy cabinet like the one you photographed, I'd have a new home for it in the dining room, my family room...SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE!
Posted by: Michaele | 18 January 2009 at 16:13