Call me spoiled but I tend to have low expectations for the brocante or flea market in Arles held on the first Wednesday of the month. It might be, possibly, one of the few things that I do tend to take for granted in this mythic 2000 and change year old city. I don’t know why. So I graze and glaze. I am still there mind you! Just not with the bit between my teeth, ready to run, as I can be at, say, the déballages in Avignon or Montpellier.
I actually appreciate enormously that the vendors really aren’t trying to prove anything. You buy or you don’t, well, that is your choice and they will most likely be occupied preparing a mid-morning snack of vin rouge et saucisson de taureau anyway, perhaps over a game of cards. The goods are there, even if you may have to have a very keen eye – or a lot of patience, something which I think we have already established is not this particular redheads point fort – to wade through The Rusty and The Dented (a possible name for a Provençal cowboy film if ever there was one)…
…to uncover the bijous, such as these mother of pearl inlaid Chinoiserie wall panels – 30 Euros for the four was the dealers opening price and his lifted eyebrow insiniated that he was willing to negotiate. I called my friend Ellie* to see if they might be something for her shop but, wise one that she is, not even an iphoto would do, the lady only buys what she has seen directly. I can’t argue with that and so left them behind with a tiny hint of wistfulness.
One aspect that is unique to the Arles brocante is the plethora of pieces evoking the traditions of both the Gardians, the cowboys of the Camargue and les Arlésiennes, their beautifully attired female companions, such as the linoleum cut stamps above and the portrait (in the first photograph up top) that I truly kick myself for not buying. These wares add another dimension to the proceedings and call to the local women who carefully examine swathes of antique lace and silks to use in their costumes each May Day.
But of course, there are plenty of more straightforward baubles to please and entice such as this set of a Napoleon III lustre and sconces…
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…however, I never stated that everything was pure élégance, now did I? For while the over-sized wooden rosaries have been all the rage for some time now, did you happen to notice the framed Fanny? I did and admittedly that is what moved me to snap. I know, I am hopeless. |
Perhaps a Quimper platter would be more to your liking? Surprisingly, it was offered by the same vendor. Shall we just say that he was catering to everyone’s tastes?
It was only afterwards when formatting these photos that I noticed the perfect pique-cierge or candleholder amidst this pile. I would have been interested as it could have made a nice addition to the pair that we already have, even if that meant dealing with the seller, who is especially grumpy and absolutely tenacious when it comes to sticking to his price. And no, that is not just because I am L’américaine!
For truly, he is a character, one with a regard nearly as piercing as the one present in this waist-high representation of Mr. George Washington that he had propped up towards the far edge of his stand. Don’t you love trying to imagine who might be the person to be tempted by such an object? I do.
But maybe I am in the wrong, perchance you have seen quite a bit amidst the chaos here that caught your eye. Hmmm…well, you know, the brocante season will soon be firing up throughout France…you could always fly over. I can promise that Provence would certainly welcome you…
Or, if that isn’t quite feasible, you might enjoy extending your brocante stroll by visiting a few of my friend’s wonderful online sources:
To see Ellie’s shop at Have Some Decorum, please click here and head to the antiques section.
To visit Sharon’s selection at My French Country Home, please click here.
To visit Corey’s always changing items at Tongue in Cheek, click here please.
And for those of you on the West Coast in the States, I am pleased to share that my friend, Elizabeth, aka The Vintage Contessa is going to have her always popular booth at the Remnants of the Past Show on April 15th-16th. For more information, click here.
Voila! Ah, a little bit of antique happiness for your weekend. I know that it always does the trick for me – wishing for a bit of patina personified, a touch of history that you can hold in your hand. 🙂
Before I sign off, I want to thank everyone who responded to my previous post. For those of you that missed it…honestly? The comments are worth a look. They gave me so much to think about and I am honored to have such generous, intelligent and ‘from the heart’ readers. You inspire me to no end.
Gros Bisous,
Heather
*Friends, it is only as I was getting ready to publish this post that I discovered that Ellie has written a post to let everyone know that she is currently in a palliative care center in Paris. I know that quite a few of you are very fond of her. If you haven’t seen the post already, you can find it here. As I have said before, she is one of the most amazing people that I have ever had the privilege to meet. Despite this physical setback in her 6th year of living with ALS and giving up her new home in Provence, she remains strong and determined. But I will still be praying for her in my way, as I always do and invite her fellow friends to join me. A bit of Love goes a long way…
Charlotte! My goodness, I am still blushing from that one!! To think that I have lived in Provence for so long and did not know of that tradition?? Or perhaps the women have wised up and said "Non, merci, c"est fini!" 😉
Thank you so much for the info!
Oh my, I think you would be out of your mind at this brocante! It is not fancy but there is much to be had for a sharp eye such as yours.
xoxo
Ah, you are right Sister – I only see the Frenchiness here! And you know how much I love Treasure Mart. Maybe the Fanny is international? 😉
I love you!
I coudnt believe my eyes! Le livre rose, "La lecture et le francais" was one of my first books when I began learning french 1958! Yes! I was born 1953! Unfortunately I dont have this book anymore, I think it belonged to my beloved french teacher. We remained friends for more than 40 years till her death. Ah, the memories from your photo!
Thanks for letting us know about Ellie – puts life into real perspective and this week I really needed that shift of focus.
If portraits of constipated looking Americans are your thing, I can offer the grand tour. One side of my family has a storage unit full of them. They can all agree that they hate them and are ugly and would never hang them in their homes, yet there is a bitter almost decade old battle over who they "belong $" to.
Also included in that storage unit: cheap flatware I bought from Target I swapped in for the good stuff. Seven f*****g years ago. No one has noticed and yet no one would agree I could have. Meanwhile it's been used dozens of times since its seizure. A happy ending of eminent domain.
Hi Judi, Since you live in So Cal, you need to attend the French Food Camps at Andrea Drexelius's 1926 home in Laguna Beach. The next one is THIS Saturday, March 19th. I can't begin to tell you how much fun they are: Champagne, French cheeses, artisanal breads, a beautiful lunch and the company of 20 to 30 witty, charming, like-minded Francophiles. Not only does Andrea know all the great Flea Markets, shops and other sources here in So Cal, she also has a home in Burgundy where she gives Brochante and antique tours. Check out this link: http://frenchbasketeer.com/t/cooking-classes
Elizabeth, the Vintage Contessa who blogs with LOTS of CAPS, has also flown down from Orinda a few times to attend. People come from all over So Cal so I am sure you will soon find a "Pal" to go the Rose bowl or other venues.
If you live near Riverside County, I can clue you into the "hot spots" with great stuff and VERY reasonable prices.
I can't go every month but I missed the last two so I will be getting my French Food Camp fix on Saturday, March 19th. Hope you come!
Smiles from Charlotte
I wish I could take you on an excursion around the side streets of Saigon Heather…I have a feeling you would really enjoy discovering my secret places. It would be an adventure, I can promise you that! xx
I think it will be a while before I get to France again, so I must search out some brocante or vgs here in So Cal… I've been meaning to go to the RoseBowl and see if it might feel a bit like an 'antique market' or a vg.. I've always kind of thought it was mostly a garage sale, with tools, nails and broker photography equipment, but I think I might have just avoided and thought that way because it wasn't in France! Ha Ha.. 'Open up your eyes, Judi, you might just have a treasure right in your own back yard in Southern California!' I need to take a pal, as I'm no good at bargaining! Thank you, Heather, for your beautiful photos and words!
Quite an eclectic mix of things. I am sure I would have found something I liked. I wish they would have similar markets here but the only way you can get your hands on some old things is to attend an auction or an antiques shop and sometimes the prices are out of this world.