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 new stock - all metal or wood!

Beautiful set of 10 tole French curtain rings, with a strong hinge and pretty mount.


In excellent condition, these vintage rings are so easy to use

Sorry, but the curtain rings are sold

You just open the clip so the tiny teeth grip the curtain, and then merely thread the ring over the curtain pole et voila! An easy - and gorgeous way - to dress a window. Perfect for holding a monogrammed sheet at a window, or fine muslin...You can read more here.

sorry - the brioche tin is sold
Let them eat brioche...this is a rare vintage French brioche - cake - tin, with the sweetest shell shaped handles, making it easier to turn out the baked brioche.


Just perfect to add to a tin or kitchenalia collection...You can buy it here.


This wonderful 19thc flour sieve would look the part in a rustic, country kitchen. Practical too!

sorry - the sieve is sold
In excellent condition, you can read about it here.


This old vintage handle was once in use in a Surrey cinema long since demolished. Beautifully made, solid as a rock, this would look great greeting customers in a vintage or antique shop, or you could even use it as a towel rail in a retro bathroom...

Sorry but this handle is sold
You can read more about the handle by clicking here.


Another vintage item that would look superb in an antique or vintage shop is this French shop bell. We have one at our side door - we have added a little chain, and our visitors just tug at the chain and we can here it through the house and garden. So practical...

So sorry - the shop bell is sold
In wonderful vintage conditon, with just a little rust and LOTS of verdigris, you can buy it from my Ebay shop here.

Sorry - the shoe lasts are sold
This pair of vintage shoe trees - or cobblers' lasts - are interesting - they fold at the hinges, and can be hung up when stored away. Making slippers was a local small industry here in Limousin - it was something the farmers and their wives could do when the weather was too bad to farm - I think these may have been used for just that purpose, but ideal for keeping vintage shoes in shape...you can see more here.