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