French Revolution Comics

 

A little dark humor, as found on Pinterest here. Enjoy!

For Your Chateau

In this installment of, what I've decided to continue calling, "For Your Chateau" we find an assortment of luscious textiles and table linens as well as decorative arts for living and dining. There are loads of these ornamental brass curtain tie backs on Etsy and similar sites, but they can go fast. I awoke this morning to find that two such things on my favorites list had been bought overnight, so I guess the moral of the story is, if you like it, buy it. In my case payday is always just a little far away. C'est la vie.

I'm certainly drawn to these little pewter plates with their variable designs in heraldic motifs. Given that they ship from France, the cost to ship (Free) and the shipping time (1-8 days) is really surprisingly good. The stories behind each plate's sigil are really enlightening and make me want to learn more about each monarch they represent. 

I dearly wish the faded blue and white fabric was in better condition (and that I had that kind of money to just throw around). It's a lovely design and a pretty large amount of fabric on the whole, plus I have one lonely window in my sitting room that is crying out for a feature dressing and that would be perfect. Alas, I think it would be hard to make that amount of damage disappear even in, say, a tightly ruched valance. Perhaps it could be cut up into pillows or something smaller from the less-damaged parts? I'm always loathe to cut into antique textiles. 

Have you found or acquired something similar to these? What or who are your go-to vendors? Leave a comment below.

Ormolu and Dangerous Decorating

 

Today it is widely recognized that mercury is a hazardous material for people to be directly exposed to, but that hasn't stopped it from featuring in some of our most prized materials and processes. One of these recognized decorative techniques is ormolu, seen in the image at left on this reproduction desk. Ormolu is both a gilding technique and a term applied generally to items that feature it, such as furniture, fireplace mantles, some porcelains, and decorative objects like clocks. 

The process involves forming a decorative fitting out of a lesser metal like bronze or brass, and then applying a film of gold and mercury to it, which is then fired leaving behind the gold finish. Very popular during the Rococo and Neoclassical periods, it took a hit in the 1830s when France forbade the use of mercury in recognition of its danger to health and safety. Today the technique has largely been replaced by modern nickelplating, but we still refer to items that have this style as Ormolu. Although it wasn't outlawed until the 19th century the risks of mercury exposure were well known at least as far back as the 16th century, but that didn't curb the popularity of this gorgeous, but less expensive, art form. 

To find the finest examples of ormolu from the past, search museum collections and antiques sources for the works of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843), Charles Cressent (1685–1768), and those of Matthew Boulton from the 1760s. Or simply search "ormolu" on any antiques site and you'll be awash in lovely, highly-detailed items. Oftentimes the fittings themselves, separately from the furniture they might have once adorned, can be found sold in parts and pieces. I have several saved on Etsy and Ruby Lane Antiques for all of those someday projects. Maybe I'll use it on the trumeau mirror I have planned.

Used ormolu yourself? Have a favorite item that features this beautiful decoration? I'd love to see it!

August 25th 1786

 

Arrived in Riom with attendant company, but found myself in low spirits still. This was not in any way allayed when a missive arrived from Versailles with a demand for recompense owing to the state of my lodgings. All who saw it felt this most unfair, and indeed the Chevalier had to be convinced not to write a strongly-worded letter to the little bureaucrat who had sent it. In my own defense all I can say is that the rooms were not in any worse condition than those in which I found them at the time I first took up residence. My feeling is one of being under constant threat and my dear friends are finding it hard to alleviate that. I feel that I am being persecuted, but have not the evidence to prove it.

The Chevalier, having an acquaintance of his own in a neighboring town, is away for the evening and will return tomorrow, but before he left he brought me a charming bouquet (though it was harvested from my own garden) and was most tender. I read to distract myself, but find that the book drops absently from my hands as often as I pick it up again. I have sent to Paris for fabric I had ordered to be sent instead to me here so that I might have something new made before the weather turns cold again. I had been thinking of a new court gown, but am relieved to know now that it was not needed else it would have been a tremendous waste of money, and that seems to be an unending concern.

I am being importuned to seek the advice of a doctor, as my breathing is more strained and my heart palpitates fearfully at times. I do not know that he will be able to assist me when it is the situation which requires remedy not myself, but we shall see what he says when he comes. Perhaps at the very least he may give me a sleeping draught and a few hours of blissful insensibility.

-Olympe

For Your Chateau- Etsy Finds

Clearly I spend some time every week trawling Etsy for interesting items for my home and work, so I thought I'd make it a part of my weekly blog posts to share these finds with you. A quick search of terms like "French Country" or "Brocante" or "Chateau" will yield a plethora of tempting options, and of course I have regular shops that I follow for porcelain, vintage textiles, and art. 

This week's spotlighted items include Provencal-style linens, crystal tableware, and French Country furnishings. I'm particularly interested in the pieces from RelovedHomeDesigns because of the free shipping included in the purchase price. So often when buying furniture online the shipping can be almost as much as the item itself, or even more! What initially seems like a deal turns out not to be in the end. Not only is the item here shipped for free, but the seller does the work of finding a shipping company, though note they only ship to the lower 48 states of the U.S. Sorry, international readers. Having recently inherited some of my grandmother's silver I probably won't be purchasing the little silver tray, but wouldn't it make a delightful vanity accessory? It was too lovely not to favorite with this week's picks, and maybe if I do acquire a proper china cabinet I'll have somewhere to display such things instead of shutting them away in the spare bedroom wardrobe, where they currently have to reside.

Tea With the Queen

You may not be able to actually drink tea with Marie Antoinette, but you can drink tea like Marie Antoinette thanks to the availability of some of her favorite porcelain designs to this day. Being fond of the lovely blue Cornflower, she had a set called ‘Pearl and Barbeaux’ featuring, as suggested, pearls and cornflowers. It may seem simple, compared to some of more ornate 18th century Sevres porcelains with which you may be familiar; however this service was created in 1781 by which point the philosophies of Rousseau and rising interest in English styles were influencing a simpler aesthetic. 

Not content to admire the Queen's taste from afar? You can acquire your own set from Bernardaud, or maybe just piece by piece as they start at $96 for a small plate and go up to more than $2K for large serving dishes. Want to see the originals for yourself? Me too, and when this pandemic and quarantine are over I look forward to a visit to the Hameau de la Reine to see them in all their original glory. Until then, cheers!

August 18th, 1786

It is well said, “Quand on a pas ce que l’on aime, il faut aimer ce que l’on a” (When one doesn’t have the things that one loves, one must love what one has.) I have been trying desperately to love what I have, but it is a hard thing to see others have much of what one would wish. Maman sends word that a distant cousin, Julia, is to have a child in the next year though she is more than ten years my junior. The Chevalier does his best to cheer me, and his ardent affections are very welcome even as my heart fears for its own recklessness. 

Nor is it solely family matters which burden my spirit of late. I received sudden notice a week ago that I must vacate my rooms for use by another, leaving me without a home to go to unless I returned to my own properties. I am engaged at present in packing the few items which are my own, and preparing therefore to return to Riom and my home at Portaberaud. At first I attempted to object. To the shortness of the notice, to the cruelty of the removal, but alas, to no avail. The Chevalier has offered to accompany me, and I am caught between retreating to lick my wounds in solitude, or hosting several friends to distract me from it. Either way I am unlikely to see Maman and the rest of the family as they are away visiting with my brother Andre and his wife, Sonya in Normandy. 

Meanwhile Mattieu is somewhere in the Mediterranean aboard the Auguste and we are not likely to see him until the end of the year, a fact which Maman bewails in every letter. I think it has been most difficult for her to resign herself to his independence, as she has long since become accustomed to my own. Certainly in my situation it was a bit different thanks to my father, the Comte.

I think I have decided. I will accept the Chevalier's offer and bring life and pleasure back to Auvergne with me. We need not stay long, and can either return to Paris after new arrangements are made, or travel on to Saint Saturnin. Now to return to preparations.

Olympe

For Your Chateau- Etsy Finds

 I don't know about you, but I love to sift through sites like Etsy and Ebay and Ruby Lane for antiques and creative finds to make my surroundings more beautiful. As mentioned in the post of the Greek Revival fireplace surround, I have a blue and white themed sitting room full of delft tiles and porcelain. I'm forever on the lookout for things that will work with it in the room, or simply add to the collection. Here are some of my most recent finds.

You'll note that the Etsy store of BordeauxBrocante comes up pretty frequently. A brocante is basically like the French version of an antiques market. I've just stumbled onto that one, and I'm hooked on the lovely items and impressed by the styling of the photos. One of the things I use these sites for is to compare and get a better understanding of what things are worth on the market, that way I know that I'm paying a fair price when I make the leap to purchasing anything. Some items, especially genuine pieces from the past, are really worth paying a little more because the quality is so good compared to similar mass-produced items today. 

Have items, stores, or sites you love? I'd love to know about them too! Want to keep them all to yourself? That's fair. Either way, happy hunting!

For Your Entertainment- The Chateaux of YouTube

 Here we are enjoying the last couple of weeks before classes start back again (and, yes, we are going back again this year). This means it's time to binge those shows we've been enjoying all summer while completing class prep. One of my favourites for the last few months has been The Chateau Diaries, which can easily be found on YouTube. I've actually taken to watching more short documentaries and vlogs on YouTube than TV, despite the Netflix, Acorn, Britbox, and Amazon Prime subscriptions. I mentioned in a previous post that properties in France, especially derelict chateaux, are incredibly cheap now, and Stephanie Jarvis of The Chateau Diaries was able to take advantage of this over a decade ago and now runs her own entrepreneurial business out of the renovated castle she bought with a friend. If you enjoy frivolity and antics, and especially if you like little tidbits about history and luxury goods, then this might just be for you.

The titular home of the Chateau Diaries is Chateau de Lalande, which was featured first on another show called Escape to the Chateau DIY, itself a spin-off of the very popular British series, Escape to the Chateau. As the IMDB page says "Many Brits have moved to France to buy crumbling French chateaus to renovate into stunning homes. This series follows their progress and sees them try to use their homes as a business for events, etc."  It's like one-stop shopping for all the chateau reality television you could want. I actually wasn't looking for anything of the sort when I stumbled across it on, you guessed it, YouTube, I was looking for videos on DIY renovations for installing faux fireplaces and wainscotting. Nonetheless, I have since been hooked. 

Another spin-off vlog from the spin-off series, is Chateau Life. There's a little less DIY on the Diaries vlog, which can be disappointing, but Life isn't set at a B&B, instead it's an outdoor events venue and work on the interior is very much ongoing, so it can be delightful to see how the owners tackle renovating the Chateau de Bailleul, with an emphasis on doing it on a budget. Ah yes, a chateau on a budget, that sounds right up my alley!

Enjoyed these series yourself? Have one I missed that you want to share? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

August 9th, 1786- Two Years Later

 

 Has it really been two years? Many times I have picked up my pen to continue, but laid it down again defeated by the events which have seemed both too swift and endless at once. When last I wrote we were preparing for the King's hunt, an episode which should have signaled much joy, but which proved misadventurous instead. I must out with the truth, no use in delaying. Thierry suffered a fall from his horse during the hunt, and though he seemed at first little injured with no apparent broken bones, he soon slipped into a sleep from which he could not be woken. Nine days into his endless sleep I inquired of the doctor on another matter and received the glad news that I was enceinte though I had little dared to hope for a child at that point. 

Thierry lingered into August of that year before expiring as gracefully as he had lived. Our child soon followed only a few weeks later, dead before it could live. My mistress, the Princess Elisabeth, with great kindness and gentleness, released me to mourn and recover at my home in Saint-Saturnin, where I stayed for the better part of the last two years. 

Grief knows no safe place, however. Word of Christine's death in Sweden in childbirth in early January of 1785 was followed swiftly by that of one of my aunt's, the apparent suicide of my mother's brother who did grieve her terribly, and then that of my sweet Reinette whom I found dead one October morning with little warning. I do not lie when I say that it was all I might do for some time thereafter to merely rise in the morning and live myself. 

Meanwhile the royal family have had their own difficulties, with the Affair of the Necklace only recently subsiding in May of this year. The Queen is naturally acquitted of blame, but that does not stop the wagging tongues of Paris who continue to abuse her reputation most pitilessly. There is now, though, a second young Prince, Louis Charles, and the sweetest baby Princess, Sophie, the latter of whom was only born a month ago. I, being for the last three months back at Versailles, have had the great fortune of seeing this newest child of France myself thanks to the unending support of my benefactress, Madame Elisabeth. Though she cannot now offer me the position in her household which once I held, she continues to champion my cause ensuring that a small pension is mine owing to the death of the Marquis. I remain Comtesse in my own right, but the title of Marquise de Mercoeur will die with me or be forfeited upon my remarriage.

The possibility of remarriage is on my mind, as I am very nearly too old for childbearing unless it be quite soon. There is, I confess, a young Chevalier, eldest son and heir to an old and established House, who declares his affections daily and with whom I am not at all sorry to have become better acquainted. Tongues do wag at the prospect of our union, however, as he is 14 years my junior! 

Even this little missive tires me, and my new puppy tugs at the hem of my dress urging me to play. I must go. I begin to hope again, but in my hope is such fear. Is it a friend or false-faced demon, I wonder.

For Your Chateau

 If you saw my last post about acquiring my new fireplace surround, and the Greek Revival style and related interior designs of the 18th and 19th century, then you'll have been introduced to a few examples and suppliers. If, however, you are hungry for more, then feast your eyes on the following.

The  first  image is a good example of a similar piece, just slightly earlier in the American Federal style, and  also of the relative cost of such pieces. Available on Etsy, it will set you back a mere $2,500. Love the look, but don't need the genuine antiquity or the cost? You could have a modern version custom built for you, as in this version, also from Etsy. At $425 it is considerably less expensive of an option, however would still need not only an insert, but a full box to set it out from the wall. Then again, it would be perfect for anyone trying to renovate an existing fireplace. Perhaps money is no object for you (lucky you, if so!), in which case you might be interested in some Ebay listings such as this one in marble, but note that it's local pick-up only so, New Yorkers, this one's for you.

  

If you, like me, don't have a ton of money on hand, but still really want to renovate an existing fireplace to a more historic style or add a new one, check out DIYs like Young House Love or Adora Mae. Either way, happy hunting!

  

And We're Back! (With A New Project)

Bonjour world! It's been many (six?!) years since I last updated this blog. In a nutshell, life and work became crazy and difficult and terrible and full of change and renewal. Like many of you, quarantine life has afforded me some time to recall the things that I enjoyed doing and to refocus my energy. For those who enjoyed the Diary entries from my fictional 18th century counterpart, I suspect she'll be back shortly, so look out for more missives coming soon! 

One of the things I have been busy with in the intervening time is buying my first home and fixing it up. It's not a grand chateau or anything (although have you seen the prices of derelict chateaux these days?!? It's enough to make one consider really moving to France.), but it is home and it is mine. It's great in that it is quite enough space for me, but not too much space to take care of; however I have always felt the lack of a fireplace. I'm cold by nature. I was on a tour of Jerusalem a couple of years ago and my guide kindly informed me that cold hands mean a warm heart, I hope he's right. The idea of walking into my home after work on a winter's day, or coming in from gardening in the autumn, to a fire in the hearth is appealing on many levels. So fast forward to a few days ago when I was trawling the internet and stumbled across this absolute find from Vintage American Home.

It's not often that you can find a genuine 19th century antique fireplace for under a few thousand dollars (or pounds in this case); although if you're persistent bargains do pop up sometimes, as in some ebay listings. Just be sure to double-check on shipping costs or pick-up requirements. I've seen many listings where the shipping was more costly than the item!

The next step will be to acquire a fireplace insert, since the house obviously doesn't have a chimney and can't support a real fire. I'm leaning towards one from Wayfair at present, since I have had good experiences with several of their products in the past.

Now, obviously Greek Revival is a mid-19th century style, not in keeping with my 18th century proclivities; but the two time periods share a love of classical elements in part due to the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum beginning in the 1730s and 40s. This is why it is not uncommon to find fluted columns and laurel wreaths as motifs in both Neoclassical architecture and Greek Revival. 

The other reason, of course, is that on either side of the pond, both in Europe and in America, there were shifts in social identity. In Europe Rousseau's philosophies were influencing people to look to the past for examples of a simpler style to contrast the ostentatious ornamentation of the Rococo swirls and florals. The Revolutionary French government and its supporters likewise hoped to utilize the imagery of the idealized Greek city state to help legitimize the new regime. 

Meanwhile in America a new sort of gentry was trying to create their own style and legitimacy. Southern landowners saw themselves much as the elites and cultural aristocrats of their new nation, and as the United States moved into the new century they adopted Neoclassicism with their own twist which eventually developed into the Greek Revival style seen so often in plantation homes and civic buildings of the mid-19th century. 

When I saw the dentil molding, fluted Ionic columns, and wreath motif I recognized the Greek Revival style and thought it would suit my sitting room very well. Although it is quite a large piece at 47" x 58" it so happens that the room in question is by far the biggest in the house with a vaulted ceiling and one blank wall between a window and the back door, which is the focal point as soon as you step through the front door into the entry hall. The real bonus is that it had previously been restored with a bit of blue accent painting, which makes it perfect for my already cream and blue theme. 

The next steps will be to sand down the rough and chipped paint, repair the weak areas in the woodwork, and build out the box at the back to accommodate the full insert. It will actually be very hard to find an insert that fills the whole opening, but here a fault is actually an opportunity because I have a small collection of Delft-like blue and white tiles that I will cover an interior section with to create the perfect frame for my new fireplace.