(Photo of Monet's painting found here.)
Years ago (1999) early in the morning, after I had set up my wares to sell at the brocante market, I quickly took a tour to see what might be interesting to buy. Not faraway from my stand, in fact on the other side of the fountain, I saw a painting rolled out like a hallway rug. The painting was long and narrow depicting an 18th century child dressed in blue silk. In the painting the child was dancing before the court with his colorful tambourine.
Not having enough money, I asked the dealer if he might hold it for me, reassuring him that I would return as soon as I sold something from my stand. "I am just over there." I said as I pointed. He nodded his head.
No sooner than you could lick a plate, a young American couple came up to my stand, they admired a large porcelain fruit bowl, and the service that went with it. When they asked about it I told them, Monet had painted the same pattern of dishes in his paintings. "Japon," is the name of the dish pattern. They were interested but wanted to look around some more. As soon as they put the bowl down, an antique dealer from Paris quickly picked it up. They stood there speechless unable to move. He asked about the fruit bowl. He held it is his hand studying it; looking at the marks underneath, checking out the details of the pattern, feeling its weight and then asked me how much. He walked away with the fruit bowl service, the same type of dishes Monet ate off everyday as well as depicted in his paintings. The American couple stood there, they sheepishly asked if I had anymore. No, is all I could give them.
(Photos of little romantic sweet things I have found at the brocante)
Racing over to the other side of the fountain with money in my hand, I was giddy! It didn't matter that I had under-sold the fruit bowl set, no it didn't matter….. One must do what one must do….
"Re-Bonjour Monsieur. I have the money!" I waved it in the air. He didn't react the way I expected instead he puckered up his lips and blew out, a typical expression in the south of France. He said he had sold the painting…even though I had given my word to return, even though he had promise to hold it, even though I was just, "over there!"
To say I was disappointed is an understatement.
The money in my hand was not as valuable as what I had sold. I had under sold something to have something I desired more, and lost both.
(Photo: I took of Monet's signature on one of his works of art.)
"Monet never lingered over his food. He didn't want to waist one moment eating when the light of day was his to paint. Monet ate quickly, he even gave told his family never to pass around the dishes twice, especially when his American step-son-in-law, Theodore Earl Butler, was lunching with them, because his slow eating habits drove Monet crazy."
Notes regarding the dishes I had:
A Creil & Montereau transfer-printed Japonisme 'Claude Monet Giverny' dinner service
CIRCA 1880, BLUE CREIL MONTEREAU CARTOUCHE MARK, FURTHER WITH DEPOSE AND JAPON, VARIOUS IMPRESSED NUMERALS
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Thanks again for your wonderful tales regarding house keys! The random winner of the key is
Paulita! Please send me your address (Leigh too!) so I can send you your gift.
Thank you !
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