French antiques. Where do you find them?
If you are looking for an original, French antique, 18th century, one of a kind beauty– then you need to have deep pockets or fast feet and exceptional eyes.
If you have money to spare and are willing to spend a couple thousand for an original, French antique then you are in luck. French antiques are plentiful for a price.
If you want rare, authentic antiques but have no pockets to speak of then you will need to search high and low, fast and furious and be able to note a rare piece in a heart beat. Because if you find a rare, inexpensive, French antique one thing is certain it will sale fast.
But if you like old things, and it doesn't have to be the real McCoy (Or should I say Louis?), then you are also in luck. The second hand stores in France are loaded with old things for a fraction of the cost…
Photo above: Set of six chairs (two are showing) Original paint, turn of the century, found at the second hand store, $150.
A small nightstand with a marble top. The metal tips at the feet and the railing around the marble top are details that stand out as unusual. Antique dealers who have an obsession with wood see a painted piece the first thing they do is take out their trusty pocket knife, and scratch some paint off the piece to see if it is walnut or fruit wood. Note the scratched mark on the left topside? If the piece is pine (which most painted furniture is) then they walk away.
Since I prefer painted antique furniture, to walnut or fruit wood, I am often saddened to see the scratch mark on an old piece left by a wood hunter (as I call them). I wish the wood hunters would scratch and sniff on the back side of furniture and not on the prime viewing spot on an old piece.
Photo: Painted nightstand, 1950- copy of an older period, $90. I did not buy it. But it sold that day.
French bed head. I wish my bed head looked as good in the morning.
The larger and more ornate the shell is on top of the bed the juicer the price… Usually the French classic bed set includes, one nightstand, an armoire (three doors are the most sought after) and a bed frame.
This one fits that bill. Though these are so very classic and common-place that most French antique dealers turn-up their noses to them. No one buys them… In France antique dealers call this type of furniture "Export." Export means it is for an international market, often destine to land on American soil. This piece and ones like it run as low as $300 for the set… yes for the whole enchilada.
This piece I think has a million brothers and sisters. Painted they don't look so bad. Though they are not my taste. You can find these with your eyes closed they are that common. The "nicer" ones have flowers or fruit motifs on the door panels. More often then not they are used for firewood. Okay maybe I am exaggerating a bit… but not by much… this sort of piece cost less than what we pay for firewood.
Another old thing that seems to holler, "Look at me, paint me, buy me, I go with everything, I am made of iron, I was a hobby piece, I am valuable , come on, look at me." And few people do.
Though I think the new modern country look, or the shabby chic look, or the I-don't-know-what-look, can work with this sort of piece. If the sofa is not to ornate this can add a touch of chic-ness don't you think so?
Wrought iron table run around $60.
Gilded wooded frames made with plaster molding motif. If it doesn't bother you that the frame might be chipped, cracked or a bit under the weather you are in a whole lot of trouble. Do NOT come to France. These sorts of frames line the streets and cost a few bucks. I happen to call them BFF! So if you come to France I will have to fight you for them.
Antique French leather bound books. If they are about God, religion, prayers, faith, saints, how to be a good Catholic, spiritual music or your sins are forgiven type of books… you can expect to pay only few dollars or less for one.
Though if the books are not about religion, have engravings inside, have gild on the binding… you can find them also for a few bucks– but everyone and their dog is looking for exactly that type of antique book too. So you gotta run fast… to find it.
Copies are plentiful. Beware. Or at least pay less.
A few months ago I was at a friend's house, in her dining room sat a beautiful dining room table. She was so pleased and went on to tell me how she imported the table, how much she paid, and that it was 17th century….
I did not have the heart to tell her that it was a copy and that it was a pity that she paid so much for it. Sure I could have told her, but it would have made her feel cheated and in the end my telling her couldn't change the table into an older piece. She couldn't take it back. I felt anger towards the dealer who lied to her. I complimented how pretty it looked. Do you think I was wrong?
Antiques do you like them? What was the best deal you ever made? What is your dream piece, what are you hoping to find?
The first antique I ever bought was a hand mirror, I was fourteen. The
second thing I bought was a French, hand-painted, tea cup and saucer I paid $5. I still have
it.
Should I talk about antiques this week or the price of tea in China?
This massive, chunky-monkey, I bought at the second hand store. It was made sixty or seventy years ago. It was a site for sore eyes with its cheery, bright, yellow paint and gold trim. Of course I painted it a shade of grey. I would love to have an antique, 18th century, deux corps as they are called in France. But my pockets aren't "Grand Canyon" deep… but sometimes I run fast and find a gem in the haystack for peanuts.
Then I am a happy go girl and sing, "Na an na an na na!!" To the face of Marie-Antoinette (my heroine, my bar of measure!)
______________________ Some places to look at for French antiques:
Second hand chain stores in France, where you can also buy online.
My friend's antique shop in France, where you can also buy online.
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