Sharon, from the blog My French Country Home, has a wonderful
eye for beauty, a penchant for treasure seeking, a picture perfect
home in Normandy…and has just filled her online brocante
with some extraordinary finds. As Sharon puts it:
Everything you see for sale here is old, and French.
Each item has a story to tell.
Her latest finds come from a fine old family home in Brittany…
Exquisite treasures from the 18th through 20th century…
Like this pair of intricately embroidered engageantes that
would fall in a foot long froth at the sleeves of refined
ladies and gentlemen in the eighteenth century…
A precious 18th century printed cotton bodice
strewn with bright floral sprays
in the Indiennes style…more here
It was wonderful to be able to talk with Sharon
by phone the other day…she is so excited
to have been able to procure such a
wonderful collection…
A similar piece from one of my favorite books, Toile de Jouy…
A late 18th century dress bodice in small checked pattern,
the lining was made from an old floral print bodice…
Antique clothing was often reworked into newer items…
Another example from Toile de Jouy…
An engageante extending from an
exuberantly floral sleeve…
My favorite of Sharon’s pieces…
This breathtaking 18th tablecloth is festooned with
floral flourishes, crowns and dragonflies…
Fine imported cotton…more rare in 18th c France than linen…
Pause…deep breath…
I can imagine this hanging over a bed…or framed…
as far away as possible from the cranberry sauce!
Just outstanding….
18th century block print of roses and lilacs on cotton
in a sample book at the Musée de la Toile de Jouy here
The enduring love of gardens and the natural
world from across time…
A lovely nightgown…
One of several antique clothing items
Visit My French Country Brocante here
Sharon carefully launders the pieces
to gossamer perfection…
Her photography captures the
ethereal nature and fine details of all
the items…
L’enfant au dauphine c. 1765-81
Also at the Musée de la Toile de Jouy
Peak at the permanent collection here
Reams of dyed linens…
How absolutely lovely…
Toile de Jouy
Printed Textiles in the classic French Style
Mélanie Riffel & Sophie Rouart
Marc Walter photography
I have loved and collected textiles for many years. The laces are spectacular; but the antique toiles have my heart. Thanks for highlighting this beautiful collection.
Again – another beautiful and educational blog.
Stunning collection…
Sharon’s finds are just exquisite! I have purchased from her in the past and received the lovely books and candlesticks promptly. My daughter (a poet) has since confiscated the books for her future children. It will be exciting to see everything in the shop!
Trish- do I smell a Normandy visit for you next year? I have an idea- let’s all meet at Sharon’s! It will have to be during brocante season, though.
-Ann
Ann…you come up with the best ideas!!!! I would love that!
Gorgeous. Sharon does indeed have some fabulous “finds”. The table cloth with the crown took my breath away too.
Thank you so much Trish for this lovely and most generous post. I love the pictures you’ve taken from your collection to compliment my finds. What a wonderful idea Ann has had – open house here for you amazing bloggers and take you all brocanting!!
That would be so heavenly Sharon! I don’t know how you are going to part with all those finds!
Delicate, labor intensive, a story in every stitch. An intoxicating addiction. Sounds like there an aversion therapy plan afoot in Brittany!
I’d give up blogging to learn embroidery…but I’m sort of all thumbs! I suppose that’s why I admire fine work so much!
Trish, I’m in for the open house in Normandie! How exquisite this post is and beautifully presented by both of you.I have a cache of vintage linens which I have collected over the years. I can’t get enough of them also. Getting harder and harder to access though.This has been a real treat on a rainy, dismal Sunday morning here at home. Thank you for a lovely visual, Nella xo
When are you going to start your blog, Nella?? I’d love to see your collection!
The images are so elegant in design. They are breathtaking. Again, great job Trish. Helps so much with my work. Talented group of Woman Warriors you have.
Hi Cheryl…merci…and you are inspirational as well!
I have loved textiles for many years. A compliment of collections.
A stunning post.
These linens and embroideries of Sharon’s are exquisite…..I love the way you connected the post Trish…..xv
Hi Trish!
I love all of this. So many think Toile de Jouy is just fabric scenes with people in them….. You have shown some beautiful examples of the real TDJ. I also like the book Toile de Jouy by Josette Bredif published by Rizzoli.. I will check out the one you suggested…… Been busy at shop and will have to catch Again……..xo Maryanne
So so beautiful — I am speechless, truly. I would love the first piece, and most likely, would hang it just as you have
shown here… thanks for sharing these. Your blog is such a treat!
Hope you’re having a wonderful day,
xoxo
These photos are a textile junkie’s dream…. sigh.