The Floral Brocante Find

Brocante Find:

Not as early as usual, after a truckload of medicine and woollens wrapped around me to the high heavens, Alice and I headed towards the Paris flea market at Porte de Vanves, which is ten minutes away on foot. We arrived to a feast for the eyes: Where does this stuff grow? After all these years how can it be as plentiful? We fell in love with more than we could ever want, need or afford. In the midst of glorious wonder, with stories beckoning to be told: Gilded wood from a chateau, relics from churches, tapestries from talented hands, teacups that lips long ago touched... 

 

 

 

Alice found a painting leaning on a table, nearly covered by the table's shadow, as if waiting for her to pass by. "How much?" she asked with a sweet innocence. The price announced was very reasonable, and yet the man winked at her sweetness nudging her to ask for less saying he would honor it. Ah youth! Ah gentle encouragement with the naive soon to be buyer. Alice asked for less, and the dealer gave it to her for less than what she asked.

A buyer was born. The Brocante Bug knows how to swoop in, kissing its victims with desire to save history for future generations.

Later Alice would ask me how she was going to get it back home in Australia.

I rubbed my hands, "Oh where there is a will there is a way," then teased, "If not I know a place of safe keeping."

 

 

 

The painting fits snug in her oversized suitcase.

 

 

 

We went home laden with finds.

We are ready for tomorrow.

xxx

 

Comments

[S/E]

Bon Voyage Alice: It was nice meeting you in October.
s/E

[Kipper]

Bon voyage Alice. What a special souvenir of your time in France and of Corey and the family. Corey, your plates on the wall arrangement is eye catching. I like that some of them are displayed to show the back.

[g]

I LOVE IT....Is Alice heading back home soon-tomorrow is the big day - So happy for Sacha wishing him every great and happy thing-a life of dreams come true!!

[Gail]

What a great find! Love the photo of everyone.

[Diogenes]

I think the best finds of the day are on and around your table: your lovely family.

That said, it is a painting I would buy for myself. I've just never been able to get up early enough to catch the best of Vanves.

[WR-PL-BB]

Hallo you gorgeous bearded duo you!... oh! and Alice and Corey too...

[Marilyn]

Alice definitely got a treasure! It is beautiful and so glad it fit in her bag. Now that meal on the table looks delicious! What is it?

[Jacklynn Lantry]

Well I'm glad you got out, despite being ill. I've made a diagnosis by the way, it's not whooping cough, you have brocantitis, like bronchitis but better:) I think being at the flea will be of great help in your recovery. Nice find Alice. What's on the plates?

[JudyMac]

Don't you just love those days of "great finds." Wish I could have been there with you. I love my "finds" from Vanves, which, fortunately, were smaller in size and not such a problem to bring home. I also love the old paintings. Hope you do get rid of the nasty bug soon, whatever it is.

[Eileen]

Up until now, I would NEVER allow anyone to come into my home and make changes to my eclectic decor. But Corey... I am now publicly asking you to fill my home with whatever you like! Just ship any brocante finds you may have to my address and place them where ever you wish :) Your Paris apartment is enchanting and the painting Alice found is wonderful.

[becky up a hill]

Happy days. I was happy to hear you were well enough to get out Corey. Happy to see the amazing find and the lovely Alice. Happy to hear a great brocante story.

[Karen Carson]

Alice is darling with her painting! Congratulations to Sasha!

[Rebecca from the pacific northwest]

Wait. You got up out of your whooping cough bed and went to the brocante? Only you, Corey, only you.

[Jennifer Phillipps]

Hope your coughing has eased and you are cosy and warm and looking forward to Christmas festivities. I only just read this blog post, but love the painting and it looks very good against Alice in her matching colours. A great vintage memento from Paris and her time with you all. Merry Christmas from New Zealand!