My dear old work pal Sylvie has gone to a new home, and it is time to welcome Nelly, my new van. I have named her in memory of an antiques dealer in the Luberon. Nelly and I are off next week to visit some old contacts in Normandy and then down to Le Mans. I am looking forward […]
With armoires and buffets stowed with the shipper, and the contents of Sylvie rearranged, we left Avignon and drove up through the Rhone wine region towards Le Puy en Velay to see our friend Francoise. Violent winds rocked the van. First through vines, then cypress and pine as rain clouds roiled above us. Fortresses and […]
Pair of Swedish back pocket chairs. The paint has worn differently on each chair. SOLD
Oil on canvas of a Northern European girl in a pink apron. Original 1930’s frame. SOLD.
Hand painted garlands and gold leaf design on these three French comportes. The name and address of the shop on the Faubourg Saint Honoré is painted on the bottom. SOLD
Nicely worn original finish to this sizeable pine bench which has been restored. SOLD.
We arrived in good time for the Avignon fair next day. As soon as the gates opened at 8h on the dot, I headed straight to a particular stand in one of the large halls. A stunning pair of painted console tables stood gloriously together, but the dealer was not yet there. I perched on […]
French metal wine cage – with padlockable gate. Will hold around 90 bottles (two deep). SOLD.
Italian confit pots from Puglia. The smaller, rarer ones would have been for preserving anchovies. ALL NOW SOLD.
French armoire in elm, very heavy, cornice and doors lift off but does not break down further. Two new internal shelves added, these are easily lifted out if hanging space is preferred. Doors closed by small toggle fastener at top. The armoire has been fully restored and recently painted in pale grey chalk paint then […]
French armchair newly reupholstered and recovered in a smart wool pinstripe. SOLD.
Southern France had been on Orange Alert with “temps chaotique,” chaotic weather. People watched in disbelief as cars were swept away in turbulent rivers. Eerie, transparent and purple jelly fish were washed up on the beach. The wind continued to howl. I arrived at the Montpellier market late. My alarm had not worked and I […]
From 1790 to 1800, a nicely coloured oak Lancashire chest. The top row of drawers are false, and the lid lifts to provide good storage. SOLD
Three drawer oak table, originally from a school. Some graffiti still inside the drawers. SOLD
The professional markets in the south of France start with a surge of people through the gates at 8h on the dot. Buyers run to bag pieces from their favourite suppliers. Things are pretty frantic for the first hour or so. Shipper’s labels are slapped on commodes and armoires and documents hurriedly filled out in […]
Bright hopes and dreams be yours, and the constant pursuit of creativity and beauty. Thank you for all your support through my tenth year. Bonne Annee.
Painted wood, hand made model cottage with glazed windows and two wallpapered rooms. The hinged back has been lost at some point. SOLD
Lots of flexibility with this pleasing and sturdy English, oak table: as a small circular table to seat four or a table with centre panel added to seat at least six or two demi-lune console tables Price: SOLD
Driving towards Bordeaux with sun flickering through allées of trees along the road, we were due to meet Steve, a dealer I knew from England. Steve was never short of a tale to tell, and was now single handedly refurbishing a large barn surrounded by apricot trees. We followed him up the dark, rickety wooden […]
Large canvas, most likely 18th century, of the Madonna with cherubs, one of whom holds a rose, symbol of Mary. The canvas has been restretched. Just over 2 metres high. SOLD
Blue green vitrine with two shelves, one is shaped in a curve. Not demountable. SOLD
The next trip took Graham and I down through France for a scout around the area south of the Dordogne and then to the Mediterranean for three large markets. We left behind a posse of good humoured charity ride cyclists just off the ferry in St Malo, and made for Montreuil Bellay south of the […]
Detail of a small, oak, 18th century tabernacle. Original paint. It had at some point in its life been incorporated into an altarpiece and then removed. A little damage on the top but this does not detract from its beauty. SOLD
Soft gilded patina to a pair of carved finials. Approximately 20cm high. £62 the pair.
