Quickly…so much to do…a few finds and links to what some people are doing with their scraps of treasured antique textiles…
This Globe de Mariage was listed under “pincushion” on Ebay. Loved the porcelain flowers…nine little vintage mirrors! Here it is after a partial cleaning…the day’s garden catch standing in for the seat cushion….
Roses in December…my favorite California phenomena…
While cleaning the velvet I found scraps of c. 1912 newspaper on the seat form….
Here it is with peachy pink velvet cleaned and reattached. My husband is a bit horrified…doesn’t “get it”. I assured him I’d sell it ….some day….
Really loving peach pinks these days. Here’s a collection of bits accrued over time. The vintage French fabric sachet was a gift from Maison Violette here, a favorite dealer at the Alameda Flea Market. Tinsel Trading here wasn’t there last Sunday, but another favorite resource for trim and ribbons….
My favorite finds are the “free” ones I find in sifting through my closets and garage. This tassel was a deep burgundy until I removed the color and ended with this warm pink. Got to dash…but leaving you with a few links of textile artists that weave magic with scraps of found fabric to create one of a kind treasures…
Ann Wood is fabulous…just love her pieces…made from bits of vintage clothes…
Ruth Ribeaucourt (fabulous name!!) sent me a lovely note: My husband is from a celebrated French silk family, the Faure family (Julien Faure) of St. Etienne and last Christmas they opened their archives for me and gifted me with some incredible echantillons of ribbons from late 19th to mid 20th century, all which had been rescued and hidden away for years by my husbands Grandfather, Georges Faure.
I have been working since March on turning these incredible ribbons into jewellery and just three weeks ago I launched my etsy shop, Rubanesque with my first collection, the Golden Age, a collection of unique, one-off handmade cuffs.
Her beautiful bracelets made out of antique ribbons are at Rubenesque…read more about her story at her blog Le Petit Coquin
The Old Pretenders Recreations of 18th century dolls using authentic pieces of fabric…Morgaine Le Faye is a big fan, and a dealer of antique textiles as well…
Have a wonderful week everyone….off to get a few things done!
Update: for more information about Globes de Marriage Fete et Fleur did a great post here including a link to a class Ulla Milbrath offered in 2009 on making your own here Photo above from the lovely Les Enfants du Marais
Hello, lovely wedding globe ,, meant to house the orange blossom wedding wreath worn in the hair ,,, sometimes also made from rice paper ,,, kept under glass meant that the mice couldn’t eat them also !!!! this one seems in lovely condition. I saw a couple of lovely ones here in France for sale the other day for 200 euros the pair ,,, was tempted but as I move a lot at the moment and they are fragile !!! best wishes Stephanie
Hi Stephanie…love your site! Yes…have read of disasters with the glass globe.Glad mine is off…less pressure!
I’m in love with your pin cushion. What a fabulous find. Good thing you found it first.
Your box of bits has me drooling over the orangey/pink color. I had to laugh at your husband being horrified over your globe. I know the other dealers well from ebay all great sellers. Ruth has a wonderful use for the odd bit love the cuffs.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Hugs!
Debra
Funny story, thought that I might share,,,,, I used to work as head of the workrooms for a fashion company called ‘Chloé’ here in Paris and one season we skipped a cruise season and to occupy the workrooms the president asked us to create something that would symbolise ‘couture’. I wasn’t looking to do something outstanding but soon got hooked on the idea and decided to make a ‘sewing box’ and found a nice wooden box with a tray that lifted out. After painting the inside a nice dark pink I then covered the outside in cut out images, eyes, jewels, flowers etc,, and then varnished it with aging varnish and put four little lions paw feet on the bottom and two antique drawer pulls on the sides. Then the fun began and I went to the flea market in Paris and rummaged in lots of boxes and bought old cards of hooks and poppers and of course masses of buttons, some on cards and many loose. I found some old scissors and thimbles and crochet hooks and lace and ribbon and I packed it full of gorgeous bits and pieces. I had fitted out the lid with some old ‘toile de jouy’ and gros grain with loops for accessories. I also made a great pin cushion and stabbed it with glass headed pins. It was great to do and it was more for me than the company but in the end everyone loved it and the president had a glass box made to put it under. I have a vivid memory of going to stay with an old aunt and each time I rummaged through her ‘sewing box’ on my bed before going to sleep !!! Seems like I was not the only one given the reaction of everyone at the company. Hope that you enjoyed the story! Best wishes Stephanie
Loved that story but would have loved to see a picture of it.
I love those cuffs—-perfection. And the dome is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Mary
Hi Trish
Love thefirst one in the pink and those wonderful dolls thankyou
fay x
Trish,
What is a ‘globe de mariage’ used for (historically)? It’s so intricate and pretty, I can see how there would be lots of uses for it (decoratively speaking)…silly husband!
The cuff bracelets are lovely. Thanks for the link.
Karen
Hello ,, as someone living in France since over thirty years I have seen quite a few of these. They went out of fashion for a few years and as things began going under glass again and the ‘cabinet de curiosity’ style came in we see more and more of them now. Globe de Marriage means literally ‘wedding globe’ under which accessories from the wedding were kept away from dust and mice. As the conditions kept the flowers relatively ‘fresh’ they could be used by daughters and grand daughters. Traditionally the globe would rest on the mantle piece of the brides bedroom. Hope you found this useful. Best wishes, great blog ,,, Stephanie
Trish,
What is a reasonable price to pay for a French Globe de Mariage? I hope it is alright to ask. I have seen them in Paris, but, did not know what they were. I love how you have freshened up the one you have. The pink is beautiful…so soft and feminine.
I look forward to your blog,
Kathleen
Hi Karen…was in such a hurry this morning…I should have added more info! Just updated blog post with some great links with more info, and ideas for making your own.
Oh what treasures today! I cannot decide what I like the best. I have been in love with the beautiful artistry of Ann Wood for a bit now and hope to own one of her pieces someday. As for the cuffs, well, they are perfectly wonderful and having a story makes them even more special. This is one of the main characteristics of aged, vintage items rich with the patina of use, their service was right in the midst of the story of someone’s life… a time and place we are given access to through the artifacts unturned by keen-eyed curators like you. Thanks ever so much!
Boy…love all your comments/stories! I added an update with links to a great blog post on the significance of the Globe de Mariage, as well as a tips on making your own. I got a very good price (it was sort of hidden from view in the sewing category, listed as a pincushion.. which helped)…but I’ve seen them anywhere from $250 to $850…generally affected by size and condition. Replacement glass can easily be ordered…but I’m afraid I’d just break it again!
Everything is beautiful! One question: how did you remove the color from your tassel? Thanks.
Hi Karen. I use a color remover from Dharma Trading here. Proceed with caution…but it works!
My heart skips a beat or two every time I see a Globe de Mariage and yours is no exception…fascinating little commemorative invention…I wonder what the significance of the mirrors in these pieces is? After seeing yours, I realize that the little French flourish I used atop my Christmas tree last year with the mirrored star and and the two birds just might have once been a part of of globe arrangement. Sigh, I have but a little piece but you have the entire production… globe envy…and all of your pinky peaches and corals are absolutely luscious.
Jermaine
Sincere Thanks Trish for putting me in touch with Wendy Lewis! Happy Holidays! Lisa
p. s Adore your Globe de Mariage
Love the same things you do!!
Merry Christmas!!
Buy American this christmas season and put your friends and neighbors to work!!!
Karen
Oh, Trish, I am so glad that you are back. Your posts are little love songs. What a find on that Marriage Globe! I have three partially put together…. like everything lately around Museville – unfinished!
One day!
I love your little Ann Wood ship of Truth. She is a favorite of mine. So sweet.
If I don’t “see you” before, Happy Holidays. xoxo isa
Hi Trish, how I love your blog. I’m refreshed every time I visit. I love the things you love, and I am in awe of the things you find in your area. They tell so many tales.
And oh my, I love Ann Wood’s Ship of Truth and the others too – they make my heart sing.
BTW, my family is constantly bemused by the things I bring home. Ah well Nanny always said I was bohemian!
Cheers
Sandra
Trish I think this is the prettiest globe de mariage I have ever seen: the colour, the little mirrors, all wonderful. I’d be tempted to find the glass for it, I have one here and regularly lift it and move it around, they resist careful handling.
You continue to publish some of the most beautiful images around, thank you.
best wishes
Sharon
Un peu de français ! Ouiiii ! C’est très joli chez vous et ça respire la décoration française… J’adore ! Amitiés et Bisous de France. Pascaline
Trish I adore the gorgeous pinks and luscious fabrics!!
Please some and enter the Grand Finale Holiday Giveaway from Greyfreth! You will love it!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
OMGoodness…just had to leave my first comment ever with our new logitech keyboard case for the ipad2…if peter is looking for something else to gift his wonderful wife I know you will love it…makes the ipad like a tiny laptop!
I love your fabulous find Trish… he rose velvet and the detail is gorgeous… I think it is yours to keep…. Have a wonderful holiday and happy festive season… xv