WEDNESDAY'S WORD OF THE WEEK: ACANTHUS

ACANTHUS

a·can·thus [uh-kan-thuh s]

noun [uh-kan-thuh s]

   

1.  Plants. any shrub or herbaceous plant of the genus Acanthus, native to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated as ornamental plants, having large spiny leaves and spikes of white or purplish flowers.  

2.  Architecture. a design patterned after the leaves of one of these plants, used especially on the capitals of Corinthian columns.

Origin:

1610–20; New Latin, Latin < Greek ákanthos bear's-foot

The origin of the Corinthian Order, illustrated in Claude Perrault's Vitruvius 1684

Of all the decorative designs inspired by nature, the acanthus leaf is the most iconic. With some resemblance to thistle, poppy and parsley leaves, it is one of the most widely used and popular motifs in architecture, furniture, interior design, and textiles. It can be found on everything from Corinthian capitals to manuscripts.

Acanthus Leaf
Illustrations by Nan Richards for Lolo French Antiques et More

The motif was particularly popular in the court appointments and furnishings of King Louis XVI, however stylized carvings are found in all King Louis styles. The conception and treatment of the margin and shape of the leaf, is the principal characteristic of the different period styles.

Lolo French Antiques et More
Item #LA259P
Pair of Dagobert chairs with acanthus ornamentaion

Lolo French Antiques et More
Item #LFASS101
Louis XV style chandelier with crystal fruit and acanthus motif

Lolo French Antiques et More
Item #LFALO974
Louis XIV style buffet d'appui with acanthus ornamentation

What style is your favorite?

À Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

BOATLOAD OF BEAUTIFUL: NEWEST SHIPMENT FRESH OFF THE BOAT

Summer has definitely arrived, and with it a boatload of beautiful French antiques! Our newest shipment is fresh off the boat from France and we've unboxed, sorted and tagged almost 200 pieces. 

1.  French Winnowing Basket  2.  French Country Jam Holder  3.  Louis Philippe Weathered Pine Buffet d'Appui 

4.  Napoleon III Table  5.  Henri II Style Washed Oak Cushion Mirror  6.  Palissy Style Majolica Trompe l'Oleil Crab Plate   7.  Palissy Style Majolica Trompe l'Oeil Homard Lobster Plate  8.  Palissy Style Majolica Trompe l'Oeil Langouste Plate 

9.  French Faience Oyster Plates and Master Server  10.  Louis XIII Style Washed Oak Buffet

If you haven't had a chance to stop by yet, now's the perfect time. Our 10,000 square foot shop is filled to the brim with beautiful French antiques.

Late 18th Century Louis XIV Style Washed Oak Armoire

Antique Country French Pine Cheese Table

If you're busy having a little fun in the sun, please take a look on our website. We're adding new pieces weekly. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you're the first to know when new shipments arrive!

À Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

To market, to market...but not to buy a fat pig! Lolo was looking for buffets, bergerès and bonnetieres. 

Period Directoire Buffet

Period Empire Enfilade

Louis XV Buffet

Country French Buffet

Louis XIII Enfilade Buffet

Louis XV Bergère à Oreilles (with Ears)

No bonnetieres at this market, but baskets, benches and bedside tables were plenty.

Boulangerie Baskets

Louis XV Bench

Louis Philippe Chevet

Louis Philippe Chevet

Louis Philippe Chevet

And though he didn't buy a fat pig, it seems he did get the fat hog! 

Period Louis Philippe Bibliothèque

So it's home again, home again jiggety-jog!

À Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

A HARD DAY'S WORK

"Where do you buy your pieces?" is one of the first things customers ask when told Lolo is in France on a buying trip. They're always curious about how and where he shops. Many follow up with, "I would love to go with him!" They are under the assumption he stays in four star Parisian hotels and sips fine French wine while eating pâté and foie gras in between sights! Granted, his maman's house is worthy of four stars and he does eat delicious meals of crab, oyster, lobster and the likes while he's "home." 

Fresh Oysters

La Cotriade d'Armor (Breton Fish Stew)

But you won't find him strolling the banks of the Seine. He's too busy crisscrossing the French countryside in a 24 foot truck, lifting and loading furniture, heavy furniture.

Pair of Louis XV Bedside Tables

Drop Leaf Table

French Art Deco Period Coffee Table

Set of 6 Louis XV Cane Dining Chairs

Washed Oak Louis Philippe Buffet

Louis XV Music Stand

Louis XV Buffet

Louis XV Desk

And when he arrives home after a 16 hour day, everything has to be unloaded and put in storage before he starts out the next day. It's not glamorous and it's hard work. But it's his job, a job that he loves.

Louis XV Armoire

Set of 8 Louis XVI Dining Chairs

Inside of Warehouse

He loves the thrill of the hunt, never knowing what he'll find or who he'll meet. He loves having a laugh and a joke and maybe an occasional glass of wine with a stodgy old dealer. He loves stumbling across what many would consider a piece of junk, an armoire or buffet in such disrepair that nobody wants it, knowing he can restore it to its original beauty. He loves being able to spend time with his family in France. And ever so often he'll get lucky and fill his truck early and enjoy the afternoon visiting a beautiful botanical garden or 13th century abbey.  

Jardin des Plantes

Family Outing

His joie de vivre is most evident, though, when he arrives back home (Birmingham, AL) and animatedly tells a couple about the piece he stumbled across in the back corner of a little shop off the beaten path. He realizes, as they both begin smiling, that he found exactly what they were looking for, making all his hard work worth it. 

You can let Lolo do the hard work for you, also. Just "Let Lolo Know" and he'll find that Empire armoire or ten foot farm table you've been wanting. You'll be the one smiling then.

À Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

LOLO'S AT IT AGAIN! DAY 1

Lolo landed safely and hit the pavement...well, French countryside...running! His first stop was a local antique fair where he filled the truck in time to head home to spend some time with his family. Here's a look at a few of the things he stumbled upon.

February 2014 Container

And a look at a few more...

Antique French Laundry Baskets

Louis XIII Bench with Storage

Louis XV Buffet

French Prie-dieu

Remember to "Let Lolo Know" if you see anything you like or have a need for some hard to find piece. He'll search high and low to find that wonderful one-of-a-kind piece you've been wanting!

Á Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

WEDNESDAY'S WORD OF THE WEEK: ENFILADE

ENFILADE 

en·fi·lade [en-fuh-leyd -lahd] 

noun [en-fuh-leyd -lahd]  

1.    Architecture. an interconnected group of rooms arranged usually in a row with each room opening into the next.

2.   Military. gunfire directed from a flanking position along the length of an enemy battle line.

verb (used with object), en·fi·lad·ed, en·fi·lad·ing.

1.    Military. to attack with an enfilade.

Origin: 

1695–1705; < French, from enfiler to thread on a string, pierce from end to end, enfilade, from Old French, to thread, from en- 'in, on' + fil 'thread'.

The French word enfilade in architecture refers to a series of "salons" or rooms, formally aligned with one another, that provide a sweeping view through the entire suite of rooms. The enfilade served to organize space and vision and is a common feature found in many of France's grand palaces from the Baroque period. It is often used in museums and art galleries to help move large numbers of people from one place to another.

Palace of Versaille; The Grand Trianon Interior 

An enfilade also refers to a piece of furniture, usually a buffet, in which the cabinet doors reveal connected compartments in a row. It is a long buffet and must have at least three or more cupboard doors. Enfilades add stature to a room with their length and the fact that many are tall. 

Louis XV Enfilade. Circa 1900's. Solid Oak. Two Center Drawers and Four Carved Doors 
with Carved Apron Over Short Raised Cabriole Legs. Original Hardware. 

Interior of Louis XV Enfilade

Antique Spanish Enfilade. Circa 1920. Solid Oak. Four Hand Carved Drawers Over Four Padded Leather Doors
with Nailhead Trim. Original Leather. Raised on Inverted Cup Legs.  

Louis Philippe Enfilade. Circa 1890. Solid Walnut.
Three Drawers and Three Doors. Paris, France

The French prefer the higher ones to the lower ones and think nothing of serving off one that is over forty inches high. It's all about the look...not ease of use!

Á Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

LAST MINUTE LOADING...DAY 10

After a whirlwind week of rummaging through warehouses, brocantes, shops and maisons, it's time for Lolo to load the container and head back to the USA. Take a look at the final load.  

Country French Rush Seat Chairs

Louis Philippe Bedside Table with Marble Top

Country French Rush Seat Chair

Rustic Cabinet 

Farm Table

Large French Butcher Block 

Set of 6 Os de Mouton Chairs

Buffet Deux Corps

Louis XV Buffet

Louis XV Bookcase

18th Century French Empire Buffet

Off to Scott Antique Market on Thursday! Be sure and stop by the South Building to say hello and take a look at the fabulous selection Lolo has with him.

À Bientôt!

Lolo and Mimi