A little worn, but much loved

Reserved

Item 1.
I love this game of loto - the lid is interesting with a nice picture of the Eiffel Tower: it seems to sell everything in France - including board games...the box is worn and some of the round number counters have been replaced with slices of wine bottle corks and hand-inked numbers.
Dating from the turn of the 19th/20th century.


Item 2.
This is an old French shoe last. After some research, I think it dates from around 1790 to 1830. Why? Well, Napoleon banned high heels in 1790 - this is completely flat - and right/left feet lasts appeared in France from 1818 - this is a left foot, but only slightly obviously so. The wood - probably beech or fruit wood - is close grained, a good colour, and has an amazing patina. It also has lots of old woodworm and cobbler nail marks!




sold
This is the underside of the last, showing the hammered nail marks - the name of a cobbler in French is 'cordonnier' similar to the English 'cordwainer', which actually was a shoe maker but eventually became used for a shoe repairer or cobbler. The last is heavy and when I hold it in my hand and close my eyes, I can almost see the cobbler bashing away, re-soling a shoe...



Item 3.
This is a nice bit of old Art Nouveau brass trim - probably from an old wardrobe or armoir - I love the tiny flowers. I think it represents a palm leaf, but not sure.

sold

This too has a gorgeous patina, built up through use - and probably smoke from wood fires - over the years

sold

Item 4.
A little benetier, or Holy water font for private devotion in the home. This one is a bit tatty but has seen some use - the velvet fabric has worn away in places - the original hook is on the reverse for hanging on the wall.



Item 5.
A sweet little mirror, also made from beech, with its own stand. I love the bevelled octagonal glass, just slightly worn round the edges from use.

All these items show signs of age and use - some loving kept and polished, some serving a useful purpose. Although I love fine antiques and paintings too, it is these homely objects that bring history to life for me.

I have decided to thin out my collection at home - we really need the room - and am selling these items privately. If you are interested in anything, or would like further photos or details, just send me an email - they are not for sale in my Etsy or Ebay shops.

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Item Prices: Item 1 - Item 2 £39.99 each, Item 3, 4, and 5 £12.99 each, P&P extra, at cost.

Some holiday pics from the south coast of France - our Frugal camping holiday

Some Roman underground storage pits in Oppidum. Looks like something out of Alien - I was expecting something egg shaped and slimey to pop out...


The view over the river Herault outside the entrance to the campsite. Lots of messing round in boats, men and boys fishing, and lots of very noisy quacking ducks.


The Millau Viaduct Bridge over the Tarn gorge - isn't it fantastic? One year OH and I drove all the way down to the river Tarn to see the gorge, and we weren't disappointed - it is one of the prettiest sights to see in France, but not this year as we had a camping appointment...


Another shot of the bridge - it was SO hot - thank goodness for air-conditioning.


This was from the fabulous, gorgeous museum at Agde. It was so delightful, I nearly wept with joy - full of lace, costume, and items from what the French call antiquities populaire ie everyday objects that people used, not high art. I'll do a bigger piece about the museum later.


This was a building with tromp d'oeil painting all over it - this was in Agde town, taken at night. We were going to a jazz festival held in various points over the town, but I loved this too


And another shot of the same building but round the corner. It was SO well done - it took me a minute or two to realise that it was just painted on.


This is the view from the ramparts in Bezier, overlooking the countryside of Languedoc. I would love to wake up looking at this every morning. You can just see the start of the Pyrenees in the distance.


Why a big yellow golf ball at the entrance to this tunnel? Dunno, but daughter snapped it anyway


And a shot of Oppidum - everything points to the centre - I just love the way everything lines up including the grape vines. Very neat.

Well, hope you weren't too bored with just a few piccies - nothing worse than other people's holiday snaps - now, have to get on with some work - kids are back at school today, so no excuses!

Montmorillon - Cité de l'Écrit

Nice way to get around the town - horse and cart!


Does this look a bit tilted to you? Think OH wasn't holding the phone/camera properly


Bridge over the river Gartempe - with printing press


One of many art workshops


The river again - quite low down due to the lack of rain recently


And another


Yes, I know I've already got 5000 books, but a girl can never have too many...

We took a day off recently and found ourselves in Montmorillon in the Vienne. It is a book-ish town - many bookshops, printing workshops, art galleries and very pretty too. If you get the chance, pay it a visit.