Fabulous French Finds

Antique French ribbon work sewing basket, metal frame, and jeweled clock

Hello Blog Friends,

Today I have the urge to share some of my wonderful French antique finds.  Given my blog name you have probably figured out that I am a bit of a Francophile, to say the least.   Armed with that fact, let's take a quick peek around my home for some of my favorite things...it's a little photo heavy, so be forewarned.

That beautiful antique Normandy lace pillow that graces the center of my blog header seems like a good place to start...Normandy lace is an exquisite and very collectible "patchwork" of laces and usually embroidered lawn or organdy.  Many laces are French in origin, many others are French in style and often misattributed to France, but Normandy is pretty much a given that it is made in France if it has the elements listed above.  I've had a few pieces with little fabric tags sewn on them stating "made in France".  Love that!

The detailing on this metal picture frame that I purchased last year is breathtaking.  I almost hyperventilated when I saw it.  

One of my favorite clocks also hails from France.  Don't you just love the jewels?  OK, they're colored glass, but I couldn't love this clock any more if they were genuine gems although I certainly might keep a closer eye on it!   

This French lawyer's document is dated 1852.  The sepia script on the old paper is awesome.

Most of these lovely little 1920's perfume bottles are from Czechoslovakia, but this one is marked "Made in France".  Found it at an estate sale.  J'adore!  It sits on a French ribbon work vanity tray, of course...

 This amazing little tiny purse holds a mirror and a powder puff.  Presumably, a powder compact would have gone in there too so you could daintily powder your nose.  It still has it's little store tag on it.

I pulled the little rose covered purse out of this cabinet of beauty which holds my prized antique ribbon work.  That is a whole other post, but let me tantalize you with a quick photo of one of the shelves...I've never shown this cabinet to anyone except my immediate family, so I must like you guys!

Back to purses, this beautiful piece was made in Paris and has a wonderful metallic beaded pattern mixed with embroidery.

This little gal sits on my dresser wearing my hands down favorite crown of my collection (yes, another collection for another time).  Don't let on to the other crowns, I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings!  LOL!  It is a French saint's crown and it is called a Trembler because the large lily type flower that sits front and center is on a wire that makes it move a bit or tremble.  Not sure why this was done, but it is cool.

Last but certainly not least, I have something that I'd bet most of you have never heard of because they are fairly rare.  It is a French Laurel Award.  These were given out for doing something special the way we would have given out trophies or loving cups.  Sometimes they are just a free standing sprig of metal leaves, sometimes they are in the form of crowns with laurel leaves or sometimes oak leaves.  Mine appears to have been attached to something else since there's a place where it looks like it would have gone over a post of some sort, perhaps on a trophy or stand.  It is from the Paris International Exposition, no date, but it looks very old, so I'd guess at least a hundred years or more.  I've often wondered what someone did to  be presented with something so beautiful.  I am from Colorado Springs, where Artus Van Briggle lived and made pottery in the early 1900's and I like to imagine that this is the award he received in Paris for one of his amazing vases.  Probably not, but I like to think so anyway.

If you've stuck with me this long, thank you thank you good and faithful reader.  I can really get going when I am showing and telling about my favorite things.  Hope your week is a good one!

Until next time,

Joining these parties this week:
Knick of Time Tuesday 
Tuesdays Treasures
White Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Home Sweet Home
Pearls and Lace Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Simple and Sweet Friday
Fridays Unfolded 
Pink Saturday