Cooling off in July in Avignon

This is July in the south of France !

I was in Avignon in July searching for my favorite French antiques...

If you have been in the south of France in July...

you know it can be SCORCHING hot!!

A truck was going through the narrow city streets of Avignon...

Blowing out huge, COOL, soapy-like bubbles !

Men and women forgot their age...

they forgot to worry about their shoes buried in inches and inches of bubbles..

they remembered being children.

I allowed the bubbles to cover my hair, my clothes...

( I 'tried' not to worry about my shoes)

So if the winter weather has you down...

think "what would you do" for even an hour of cold in July??

French Architectural Antique Birdcages....Buildings in Miniature

During the reign of Napoleon III, France was making its most elaborate architectural birdcages.

Many cages were copies of real buildings...castles, churches, and palaces ...

some bird owners even commissioning cages to be replicas of their own homes!!

The details of turrets, balconies, doorways, and windows appealed to collectors.

I have even seen clocks included!

Collectors such as Alexander Wilson Drake were fascinated with the principles included in the design.

(Drake's impressive collection is now part of Cooper-Hewitt Museum's permanent collection)

I smiled at the inclusion of the spikes atop the roof..

Keeping birds away from the building?

In the 18th century, birdcages were often designed to sit atop tables, however,

the 19th century saw more cages designed with flat backs to mount against the wall...

allowing a simple background to highlight the intricate architectural detail of the cages's front.

This painted 19th c French architectural birdcage's detail and size (36" long, 25" tall, 16" deep)

makes it a great centerpiece for your collection.

Come see it at Marburger Farm Antique Show in Roundtop, Texas

Opening day Tuesday, March 29

Tent C, Booth CD8

Marburger Farm Antique Show - Spring 2011

I remember as a child, feeling the excitement of Christmas long before I put out cookies and milk for Santa...

Christmas lights stretched across the city streets...

Christmas trees filling lots, waiting to be taken home...

Drooling at the toys in Sears' Christmas Catalogue

My favorite French antiques arrived into port today..

Heading to Marburger Farm Antique Show in 9 weeks.

To me, it is like the Christmas Catalogue arriving !

Opening Day is Tuesday, March 29

My dog paintings are the first to find homes...hope to see you early!

Tent C, Booth CD8