Usually, after going around a brocante several tours I start to look at smalls. They never disappoint with their purpose, meaning and evident stories worn proudly for everyone to see. Honor medals are easy to find, usually given by an organization, the city or country. This one with a young girl playing music to a dear was from the 1950s. The round glass frame, is easy to find as well usually they have photos of loved ones, this one had one on both sides. Sometimes there are messages inside, or locks of hair, or a patch of fabric like a modern-day relic.
Boxes and boxes of pharmacy jars with potions still inside. Perfect for a movie set of Frankenstein.
Mourning lace. History has it that when someone you loved or cared for died you had to wear black for a year, but you did not have to be drab. So black lace and detailing such as above are another easy find. Mourning jewelry also is in black.
When she dances with Rhett when she was supposed to be mourning.
Feves or cake charms that are baked inside of the Gateau des Rois for the feast of Epiphany which is the twelfth day after Christmas. The newer feves are not so sweet looking, the cake is a tradition in France served the entire month and only in January.
Metal buttons depicting animals for hunting clothing usually jackets and sweaters.
Harder to find.
For that reason I bought them.
Do you need buttons?
Textiles such as printed cotton, linens and silks are harder and harder to find especially larger pieces. Last weekend a car pulled up with a trunk full. I did not buy any as I am never sure what people want and I do not "make" things as those who buy textiles do. Red is the dominant color, then blue when it comes to 1800s-1900s textiles.
Doll shoes, that French Husband mistook for baby shoes. Small feet indeed.
They were 50 Euros and came in the original box with several pairs of mismatched socks.
An extraordinary classroom chart of owls. This is just a small part of it. A man was on it trying to have a better price. I knew the dealer and knew he wasn't going to lower the price with a crowd standing around gawking at it. So I caught his eye and raised my eyebrow which transmitted, I want it if that man doesn't buy it. I learned that trick from Mike S. the first persons I had the honor to follow and learn about buying antiques. That was twenty five years ago. He was and is the best I still hear and follow his advice in my head while at any brocante.
Classic blue glass medals, harder to find are any other color. Mainly for the 1900s they are Miraculous Medals.
When I was going around looking at smalls the carload of textiles were spread out on the ground, stacks of quilts too.
I did not buy any. I prefer altar silks which are not at all easy to find, especially at a price I want to pay. That is one of the things about antiquing as often as I do, the antiques I favor have to be at a reasonable or below market price for me to want to buy it, otherwise, I would have no control buy everything. Part of the hunt is a good price or an exceptional piece. When such a rare piece or an antique that grabs my heartstrings that is a different story. But even that has to be something considering how much I see on any given week.
What did I buy? Books, paper, maps,
This large, heavy, what am I going to do with it wonder of a piece.
Terra cotta corniche.
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