Showing posts with label French Quarter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label French Quarter. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Lace and Silk - Vintage French Quarter Finds
Fabulous vintage textiles uncovered from a grand French Quarter estate on Royal Street.
Antique Silk and Lace Wedding Handkerchief:
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| Romantic Lace Boudoir Pillow Sham |
Antique Silk and Lace Wedding Handkerchief:
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Vintage William Spratling Conquistador Sterling Candlestick Holders - made in Mexico with a New Orleans Twist
Sometimes, you come across something really special. Such was the case with these little gems...
I was drawn to these candlestick holders because of their shape and inherent New Orleans scrolly style. But they were covered in years of heavy black tarnish and it was hard to see their potential beauty under all that. But I took a chance and loved them anyway. I worked hard to polish them up and look what was under there!
As it turns out, these are Spratling/ Conquistador pieces - circa 1950ish - a time when Conquistador (a then major silver manufacturer in Mexico City) produced a few William Spratling designs.
These beauties have a very unique and detailed scroll design –reminiscent of New Orleans’ iconic iron scroll work found all over the city. Not surprising, as William Spratling himself lived in New Orleans for a brief period of time in the early 1920s, taught architecture courses at Tulane University, and shared a house with William Faulkner. Perhaps the city inspired this scroll work candle stick design?
I was drawn to these candlestick holders because of their shape and inherent New Orleans scrolly style. But they were covered in years of heavy black tarnish and it was hard to see their potential beauty under all that. But I took a chance and loved them anyway. I worked hard to polish them up and look what was under there!
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| Spratling Conquistador Scroll Base Candlestick Holders - eBay |
My goodness - these things are gorgeous! Look at the detail and their elegance. Then take a look at the bottom... and you will see these significant markings:
As it turns out, these are Spratling/ Conquistador pieces - circa 1950ish - a time when Conquistador (a then major silver manufacturer in Mexico City) produced a few William Spratling designs.
These beauties have a very unique and detailed scroll design –reminiscent of New Orleans’ iconic iron scroll work found all over the city. Not surprising, as William Spratling himself lived in New Orleans for a brief period of time in the early 1920s, taught architecture courses at Tulane University, and shared a house with William Faulkner. Perhaps the city inspired this scroll work candle stick design?
And this particular set of candle holders is extra special as it comes from New Orleans too! So - I'm thinking the design potentially went from conception in New Orleans, to production in Mexico, and then back home to a life in a New Orleans home?? How very special! :)
See more details and pricing on this eBay listing.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Antique French Market Basket / Rolling Cart - Marché Panier - via New Orleans
You are not going to believe this one! Look what we came across last weekend: an authentic French Rolling French Market Basket! This is a real gem!
We were lucky enough to find this at an estate sale here in New Orleans. Not sure of its exact history, but it clearly has seen many markets in its day - perhaps both here in New Orleans and in France? Given this city's French influence, it might have been brought here from France many, many years ago? Hope so...
So great for shopping at today's farmer's markets. You can load it up and pull it behind you as you go. Fantastic design! The French always seem to know that they are doing and what is good.
We were lucky enough to find this at an estate sale here in New Orleans. Not sure of its exact history, but it clearly has seen many markets in its day - perhaps both here in New Orleans and in France? Given this city's French influence, it might have been brought here from France many, many years ago? Hope so...
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| "Marché Panier" |
So great for shopping at today's farmer's markets. You can load it up and pull it behind you as you go. Fantastic design! The French always seem to know that they are doing and what is good.
Here it is at our local Patisserie - looking so cute!
And check out the old time construction on this thing. It has held up for many years - they don't make things like the used to. Check out the cast iron wheel system - very sturdy.
You could also use this as a decorative piece in your home, shop, cafe or studio. Would make a nice umbrella stand or vintage display piece... If I can part with it, that is. :)
I can't get enough of this thing!
Monday, July 16, 2012
New Orleans Weekend with Bastille Day Events, A Traditional Second Line, and Some Lovely Vintage Finds!
What a weekend - filled with quintessential New Orleans tradition, a few new adventures, and some excellent vintage finds!
The weekend started with an evening jaunt down to the French Quarter to watch the Fireworks Display over The River - in honor of Bastille Day. Although the show was short (just 6 minutes!), it was indeed sweet, and it was an excellent way to kick off this hot summer weekend.
The next morning boasted the annual San Fermin en Nueva Orleans (New Orleans' version of Pamplona's Running with The Bulls). Although we didn't make it to the Run this year, the town was filled with spirited Runners decked out in white and red. Fun to see. (Confession: these images are from when we attended last year.)
Made our way over to The Bywater, then through the Treme, The French Quarter, and then finally Uptown for some early morning exploration. We love crawling around these neighborhoods early in the morning before everybody is really awake.
Lucky we did that because stumbled upon a few excellent vintage finds! You know I have upcycling plans for that flag (stay tuned), but the other gems are available in the shop:
And don't get me started on the Vintage Dresses I unearthed from a mansion in Uptown! It was a complete vintage goldmine and I will post more about that very soon!
It starts off with slow and somber music as everybody celebrates the life of the one who passed. People traditionally wave white hankies and/or prance with umbrellas. In this case we needed umbrellas because it was raining!
But the procession moves through the town, and sometimes ends up at a grave site for a burial, but in this case we ended up at the favorite pub of the gentleman that passed. Celebration and music ensued all afternoon. What a way to be honored and for people to share their love for their loved one in a joyous, communal manner. Gotta love New Orleans!
But Second Lines can be held for other celebrations too. Here is one we saw for a wedding in The French Quarter a few months ago (it was also raining that day!):
Just another weekend in New Orleans. :)
The weekend started with an evening jaunt down to the French Quarter to watch the Fireworks Display over The River - in honor of Bastille Day. Although the show was short (just 6 minutes!), it was indeed sweet, and it was an excellent way to kick off this hot summer weekend.
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| Bastille Day Fireworks over The Mississippi River in New Orleans |
The next morning boasted the annual San Fermin en Nueva Orleans (New Orleans' version of Pamplona's Running with The Bulls). Although we didn't make it to the Run this year, the town was filled with spirited Runners decked out in white and red. Fun to see. (Confession: these images are from when we attended last year.)
Made our way over to The Bywater, then through the Treme, The French Quarter, and then finally Uptown for some early morning exploration. We love crawling around these neighborhoods early in the morning before everybody is really awake.
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| Shop New Orleans Eclectics |
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| Shop New Orleans Eclectics |
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| Vintage Picnic Basket |
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| Vintage Picnic Basket |
And don't get me started on the Vintage Dresses I unearthed from a mansion in Uptown! It was a complete vintage goldmine and I will post more about that very soon!
But by far... the most moving and meaningful event of the weekend was taking part in a New Orleans tradition. We joined a "Second Line" - which is a sort of parade/celebration/procession lead by a brass band. This second line was in honor of a local New Orleans fellow that recently passed away.  |
| Start of Second Line - The Brass Band Begins (Oak Street) |
It starts off with slow and somber music as everybody celebrates the life of the one who passed. People traditionally wave white hankies and/or prance with umbrellas. In this case we needed umbrellas because it was raining!
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| "Second Lining" through the neighborhood |
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| Umbrella dancing and celebrating to the music outside the pub |
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| Only in New Orleans will you see a scene like this... A "Bull Runner" from this morning's Bull Run and a man with an elaborately decorated umbrella - chatting with a beer on the street (with a huge storm cloud overhead) as if all is completely normal. Just a typical day in New Orleans! |
But Second Lines can be held for other celebrations too. Here is one we saw for a wedding in The French Quarter a few months ago (it was also raining that day!):
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| Wedding Second Line in The French Quarter |
Just another weekend in New Orleans. :)
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