Bargain hunting for Quimper and other treasures.............................

We're in the middle of a holiday weekend here in France, Monday is Bastille Day and many towns and villages in Calvados and Manche are holding antiques/brocante fairs, my local paper has pages and pages full of listings.

It's the summertime when everyone becomes a chineur (bargain hunter) enjoying the search for a vintage treasure or veritable antique piece.
On Friday we headed for one of the more upmarket antique fairs taking place over 4 days in the impossibly pretty village of Beuvron en Auge, in the heart of the Pays d'Auge and slap bang on the cider route of Normandy.

A longtime favourite with locals and tourists alike it has stunningly beautiful architecture, great restaurants and shopping.

statement chairs ?

I took masses of photographs around the village but this post is dedicated to chineurs everywhere, on y va!

I may have to go back for some of these as I've just spotted the embroidered SP in the bottom left.
These might just inspire the Senior Partner to help with the dishes!

Before we entered the chapiteau where the antique items were to be found I mooched around outside among the brocanteurs.

I'm on the lookout for a handmade wooden tuffet/stool (tabouret) after falling in love with the one in the sitting room of Button Cottage, our digs when visiting Derbyshire, UK in May.

Loved the look of this vintage enameled railway sign, a quirky display piece for any outdoor space such as a patio or hanging on the wall of your potting shed.

Great looking bench, table and chairs to place beside the potager, weary gardeners do need to rest from time to time.

Inside the tent I stopped to admire this beautiful display of Christofle and Lalique items.

Did you notice the sweet little pots au chocolat in the corner, bottom left? The vendor was willing to split the set which I thought was a shame, each pot was priced at 35 euro.

Beautiful serving platters, bowls, candlesticks, knife rests and so much flatware, what a feast for the eyes.
Turning a corner we were delighted to come across a longtime dealer acquaintance of ours, he once was our "go to" man when searching out exquisite Porquier Beau, HB and HR, Quimper faience.

The green on yellow acanthus/rinceaux border on this Porquier Beau jardiniere is a particular favourite of mine.

I'm quite partial to the green on white, too!

The detail on this large footed compote dish is exquisite, a classic Porquier Beau piece from the late 1800's.

Before heading back home the SP walked Mamselle Fleur down by the river whilst I went after one last shot, or three!

Beuvron en Auge, a picture postcard village with it's beautiful half timbered houses, one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.

à bientôt

Last of the summer vide - greniers

On our way home from the Sunday walk we stopped in a local village to check out what was probably the last vide grenier of the year.
I wish that I could show you the beautiful vintage linens and antique pottery which I found there.
I know of several bloggers living in France who always find the most wonderful decorative pieces for their homes and on line shops.
You may know them too.

Hélas, I found nothing at all that spoke to me or demanded to be taken home to live with us!

Was I wrong?

Perhaps it was a mistake to leave this Vallauris leaf shaped platter behind?

Now that I think about it, maybe it would look good in the centre of a Fall tablescape?

Vallauris pottery is produced in south eastern France and is quite popular with collectors, although it's not really to my taste.
I remember that many years ago I found a set of 8 oyster plates, at a brocante fair in Paris, which I listed for sale on ebay as "the ugliest oyster plates I have ever seen".
That turned out to be a battle of an auction and although I can't remember the end price I do know that they fetched a lot more than I paid for them.
Have a great week!

Blogging again and having fun with friends!

Such a lot has been happening since my last post almost 2 weeks ago that I'm only now able to catch my breath.
I'll be posting about where we went and what we got up to during our wonderful break back "home" in the UK very soon, but first I want to share with you the two visits which we have had since our return.
On Wednesday my very good blogging friend Jenny, & her husband Enno, (Two Tumbleweeds) from Holland came for tea.
It was the first time we had met face to face but you would never have known it, as we hit it off right from the start.

Jenny & Enno
just two tumbleweeds!

Jenny & Enno are both talented artists click here to go to Jenny's new painting blog.
The Senior Partner and I were thrilled when Jenny presented us with one of her artworks which she had painted during their time spent close to Monet's Garden at Giverny.

We spent a lovely afternoon together chatting over tea and scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

As they left Jenny told me that she felt we could be related, well, all I know is that we're family now!
On Thursday afternoon my dear friend Sarah (aka Hyacinths For The Soul) and her husband Mr HFTS came to stay for the weekend.

Sarah, Mr Ben & me

Sarah and I met over 10 years ago, through our love of Quimper pottery, at the Quimper Club meeting in Washington, DC and have met almost every year, since then, at the same annual event.

Monogrammed napkins from Roundtop,
gingerbread from Dijon & graines de moutarde de Bourgogne,
French nougat, quince,thyme & rosemary preserves,
 and
pretty notecards

Mr B & I were in the UK whilst the club was meeting this year in Brittany but Sarah soon brought me up to date on all the latest Q news and I felt as if I'd almost been there myself!
She also brought delightful gifts for us both, we did feel spoilt.

Hyacinth in Bayeux!

Sarah & I drove to Bayeux on Friday for a little flea marketing, a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry and the Cathedral, followed by crepes for lunch.
If that girl lived here we could get up to all sorts of mischief!

experiencing my local epicerie

The "husbands" were happy to sit in the sunshine and have lunch in the garden putting the world to rights, until Sarah & I arrived home with one or two "treasures" found at the Depot Vente.

Hidden in a pile of plates I discovered this special piece. Number 50 of 300.
It was produced in 1990 to celebrate the "Trois siècles de faïences", Keraluc, Quimper.

The price?
 Just 2€ -  the thriftiest find I've ever had!

Joining Bunny Hop Wednesday at Bunny Jeans Decor & More

 French Inspiration Thursday @ The French Cupboard
and

Vintage Thingies Thursday with the Colorado Lady

Click on the links to see who else is participating in these great meme's this week.

Brocantes galore for Mosaic Monday

Yesterday we visited a brocante/flea market in a local town, ever hopeful of finding a treasure or two, perhaps a rare piece of Quimper faience??
We came away empty handed but I did get some pix of posters advertising upcoming brocantes, I love their retro style.
I'm a little late getting this done for today's Mosaic Monday over at Mary's Little Red House but please do visit our gracious hostess and all the other wonderful mosaic makers gathered there.
à bien tôt

Maggie