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.
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Storks in Flight as seen in Japanese Display of Fabric at the Beaux Arts Museum
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Stylised
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Graceful Realism
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From the Beaux Arts Museum toward the Tuileries
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Interesting Museum holding Object d'Art of Every Description
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Practical Articles too. These are Sugar Shakers. Why have they disappeared?
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Decorated Panels; Handpainted
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That Once Lined Fine Rooms
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Across the River the D'Orsay, the spires of St. Clothilde Basilica and the Golden Dome of Les Invalides
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View Toward the Louvre
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Exquisite Example of Early Women's Compacts
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Tiny Perfume bottles
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| Elegant China |
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More Clocks
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Neo-classical Portable Tea Set
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Another Delicate Clock Decoration
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A Very Fine Pair of Pugs!
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Sliver Polish Required
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Napoleon I Throne ( Well One of Them)
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A Great Cup for Bridge Players
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Not to be Dropped
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Examples of Opaline Glassware
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| Handcarved Panels |
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Who Was the Model?
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Spectacular Colours
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My Favourite Paperweight: They Gained Popularity in Mid 19th Century
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St. Louis, Baccarat and Clichy Paperweights
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All Highly Sought After
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Epicenter of Manufacture was France
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Multicoloured Pocket Flasks
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Rose de Clichy 1849
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Refined Decorative Bowl
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Casque with Enclosed Bottles
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Two Mounted Police Officers Patrolling on a Quiet January Day
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