Anyone that's experienced buying antiques at a brocante fair in France will probably have heard one or more of the following key phrases from the traders. Any one of the there should set alarm bells ringing... all three together and you're probably fighting a losing haggle.
"C'est vieux!" (it's old) - This is the standard response (often accompanied by a Gallic shrug) if you pick up an item that has chips, breaks, bits missing or disintegrates in your hands.
"C'est rare!" (it's rare) - This phrase is the prelogue to an extortionate price that can occasionally be justified but more often than not cannot. Best to smile sweetly, compliment the item, put it down very, very gently and swiftly walk away.
"C'est Napoléon III!" (it's Napoleon III) - For a little light entertainment I like to have a friendly bet with my husband, Spike, on how many times we hear an object described as "Napoleon III" when we're out shopping for stock (if you ever decide to play this game and it looks as though you may have guessed too high you can usually coax it out of a dealer by asking for the age of any object that look vaguely old).
Having said all of this I particularly love the Napoleon III period (1848 - 1870) which bucks the trend of the light and airy Scandinavian decoration so favoured today by being heavily ebonised with brass or gold ornamentation. Here are some lovely examples that I've been lucky enough to own:-
These coat hooks would have looked wonderful in our Napoleon III (yes I said it) house but they are now gracing someone else's home.
This gorgeous bent wood coat rack was also a reluctant sale but I can't keep everything so I regretfully bid it adieu.
"C'est vieux!" (it's old) - This is the standard response (often accompanied by a Gallic shrug) if you pick up an item that has chips, breaks, bits missing or disintegrates in your hands.
"C'est rare!" (it's rare) - This phrase is the prelogue to an extortionate price that can occasionally be justified but more often than not cannot. Best to smile sweetly, compliment the item, put it down very, very gently and swiftly walk away.
"C'est Napoléon III!" (it's Napoleon III) - For a little light entertainment I like to have a friendly bet with my husband, Spike, on how many times we hear an object described as "Napoleon III" when we're out shopping for stock (if you ever decide to play this game and it looks as though you may have guessed too high you can usually coax it out of a dealer by asking for the age of any object that look vaguely old).
Having said all of this I particularly love the Napoleon III period (1848 - 1870) which bucks the trend of the light and airy Scandinavian decoration so favoured today by being heavily ebonised with brass or gold ornamentation. Here are some lovely examples that I've been lucky enough to own:-
These coat hooks would have looked wonderful in our Napoleon III (yes I said it) house but they are now gracing someone else's home.
 |
This gorgeous bent wood coat rack was also a reluctant sale but I can't keep everything so I regretfully bid it adieu.
This beautiful treasure is still in my life and sitting happily on our dining room table although I don't think it will be too long before there is an empty space to fill.
 |
| Please click on this link to view on my Etsy Shop |
This charming lacquered papier mâché and mother of pearl pen box is also looking for a new home.
 |
| Please press on this link to view on my Etsy Shop |
And to finish I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I was to find this stunning Napoleon III (that's twice now) artist's watercolour paint box complete with contents:-
 |
| Please click on this link to view on my Etsy Shop |
This handsome and refined period in French history (see how I dodged saying it) saw, among many other important events, the elegant Haussmann buildings rise in Paris and the end of the Second French Empire. This style of furnishing French homes went into exile with Napoleon III himself (I promise that's the last time) and paved the way for the beautiful Art Nouveau period... but that's another story for another day.
