June 28, 2007

Wandering through Normandy

We are in a small sub-region of Normandy and curiously enough have found some exceptional pieces from Provence. Antiques travel the modern world these days just like we do! Our favorite find so far…

A hand carved oak confiturier (jam cabinet) with its original matching verrier (cabinet for glassware). It’s rare to find these two pieces from Provence still together, and they are in pristine condition.

A pair of walnut Louis XIII style chairs, c. 1880.

Another traditional Provençal piece—a buffet glissant (literally, “sliding buffet”). The upper doors slide out to open. Our restoration team, Terry and Daniel, can’t wait to put the French paste wax to this one!

Watch out for two artists, Terry and Daniel, in this country! Beautiful paintings abound and we couldn’t resist bringing back this large nineteenth century landscape (53” X 40”) in its original gilt frame.

And on our wish list but we are considering it…a carved stone saint from Brittany, France that dates to the 15th century. Yes, that means the 1400’s! It stands 29” tall and was on the façade of a church in the Middle Ages. The Celtic face is typical of the statuary in Brittany which lies this side of the English Channel.