Acquisitions

There is something to be said about beautiful objects. What strikes me in viewing all these things is the creativity of humans. The imagination of artists seems boundless , exciting and astounding. The skill and craftsmanship of so many of these artifacts and object d’art  only encourage me to seek out more or investigate more fully how they were created and by whom. The museum of Beaux Arts was a place I visited thinking merely to have a look about, see what was there and skip away for a long walk in sunshine. I found myself first in an exhibition of both ancient and current Japanese items and alongside, associated work by French artists who were influenced by Japanese craftsmanship and artistry.  Taking a wrong turn in this huge labyrinth of a building I became caught up in centuries of “beaux-art” items ranging from furniture to glassware, porcelain and pottery. A came upon a display of some of my favourite objects. Paperweights. It is too late to acquire  these old and beautiful pieces displayed here. But there was a time in the 60’s that one could buy a Clichy or a St Louis. However, back then some essential thing, like the mortgage,obliterated any thought of that kind of purchase.  

Entire rooms have been donated to display particular styles from centuries and decades past. The collections range through continuous loop TV commercials from the earliest days of television ( some are hilariously funny and risqué given North American standards) to  the styles of fauteuil over the centuries and the rationale for the designs, (the style and size of women’s dresses) and much, much more. Before I realize the entire day was consumed and I was far from seeing it all. Another day!

But the big news this month is an acquisition. Some of you probably know about it already. No, it’s not more Blue Menu Crunchy Peanut Butter. As we live on a boat and our space is limited we do try to expel something, if ,for instance , we buy a new pair of shoes an old pair must be donated. Lately this has been a trifle more difficult and in the case of our latest purchase there have been necessary accoutrements procured that do take up some space. We really have been thinking about this for a couple of years and finally began the negotiation in November. It has not been an easy commission either and we had to call upon a French broker to finalize the arrangement. But in the end we made a new friend and have obtained a real prize. Oscar joined us last Saturday after a 3 hour road trip back from St. Maur, a small town not too far from Bourges. We had made the trip 2 weeks prior to take his little carry basket to Madame Crespin, the breeder, so he would be familiar with it when we came to pick him up. That was successful as all 5 of the litter of Chartreux kittens played in and out of it for 2 weeks . Oscar only made one peep on the drive back to Paris. Accompanying us was our wonderful neighbour and friend Charlette who lives across the canal on her boat. She was our Cat Broker  from November and ensured we were able to obtain Oscar as Madame Crespin was uncertain if a boat would be a good place for a cat. Once all had been explained and she met us alongside Charlette she saw that all would be well. And so we have a Chartreux. He is silver grey, calm and smart, a real player as the French say, and a breed with loads of history. They probably originated in Syria and were brought back by the Crusaders. The term "Chartreux" appears in the eighteenth century to describe the fur of blue-gray cats, appreciated by furriers! At the beginning of the 20th century, there was an interest in the Chartreux as a race in its own right, as it had practically disappeared.

It was primarily two sisters, Christine & Suzanne Léger,  who rescued this true French breed before the second World War.  They are a robust cat with a smile so that they are sometimes called “  le chat souriant “, or the smiling cat. They are a quiet breed that chirp rather than meow and are considered calm and good voyagers. That was the primary reason for searching out the Chartreux.

Right now he is behaving true to all we have read and heard from Madame Crespin and the LOOF society of France which regulates cat breeds.  He has met all our visitors calmly and affectionately, he plays hard, eats well and sleeps like the baby he is. Pictures are added for your introduction.

Storks in Flight as seen in Japanese Display of Fabric at the Beaux Arts Museum

Stylised

Graceful Realism 

From the Beaux Arts Museum toward the Tuileries

Interesting Museum holding  Object d'Art of Every Description

Practical Articles too. These are Sugar Shakers. Why have they disappeared? 

Decorated Panels; Handpainted

That Once Lined Fine Rooms 

Across the River the D'Orsay, the spires of  St. Clothilde Basilica and the Golden Dome of Les Invalides

View Toward the Louvre

Exquisite Example of Early Women's Compacts 

Tiny Perfume bottles 

Elegant China

More Clocks

Neo-classical Portable Tea Set

Another Delicate Clock Decoration

A Very Fine Pair of Pugs!

Sliver Polish Required 

Napoleon I Throne ( Well One of Them) 

A Great Cup for Bridge Players

Not to be Dropped

Examples of Opaline Glassware 

Handcarved Panels

Who Was the Model?

Spectacular Colours

My Favourite Paperweight: They Gained Popularity in Mid 19th Century

St. Louis, Baccarat and Clichy Paperweights

All Highly Sought After

Epicenter of Manufacture was France 

Multicoloured Pocket Flasks

Rose de Clichy 1849

Refined Decorative Bowl

Casque with Enclosed Bottles

Two Mounted Police Officers Patrolling on a Quiet  January Day

Left to right , Madame Crespin, John and our Facilitator Charlette

Resting After A Long Ride

Checking out Every Inch of Forty Roses III

Have Not  Thought About Cat Proofing the Cords!

 

Out of Steam

Loves what's Inside

Watching the Cook

Finally Finished

Adam, Joshua and Cat in Basket

Upstairs

Loves Paper Wrapping

Modern Cat with Cell Phone

 

Checking Printer Workings

Enjoying the Sun

Our Captain, Our Captain!

True to his breed he has already attached himself to us, been sociable with a multitude of guests who came bearing gifts to see him, and has learned to fetch and retrieve, with a little phone time in between.