Beth Arnold

Letter From Paris: Pieces of Dolls and the Parts of Ourselves We've Lost

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At the good Flea Market I happened upon on the rue de Bretagne a week and a half ago, I found chunky heart necklaces by both Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent--Saint Laurent's with a crystal shard piercing it.  I admired the jewelry--could see myself wearing it--but left it.  I discovered chairs, lamps, and champagne glasses with my attitude.  They may have needed me, but I had no place for them in my household menagerie. 

I am a lover of flea markets, and this one came as a happy surprise as I was walking toward home from the gym on a day I normally don't go.  It snaked through the Marais almost to the Temple Metro station.

I realized as I was wandering through the shoppers and sellers, the tables of treasures and junk that a Paris theme I've visited before was popping up--more mannequins (which you will see another day)--and dolls and pieces of dolls that sat naked and alone or were piled up like poor amputated souls.  

Letter From Paris: Ferrante Ferranti à l’atelier 7

At the ever chic and evolving l'atelier 7 on Wednesday night, the Lone Wolf and I dropped into a vernissage for the stunning Ferrante Ferranti exhibition. Not only were the photographs we'd come to view breathtakingly sensuous but we were received with the kind of detail that often is missing at Parisian soirées, including a coat valet.  Heaven!

(You must know that this isn't human flesh--but a marble statue.  What an incredible subject and photo.)

Paris Art Market Buzz

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2 December 09

By columnist Paul Paradis, Art Historian, Specialist Consultant in French Furniture and Decorative Arts.

A Rewind

I was so carried away last week with writing about the Yves Saint Laurent sale that I neglected to report on other art market happenings that week.  For example, a highly important collection of arms and military souvenirs from the First Empire period was offered by auctioneer Thierry de Maigret.  The private collection was amassed since 1945 by a Belgian couple offering only their initials of “RVN & GC”.  The presale viewing attracted me immediately while I strolled through the Hôtel Drouot, with its feathered cavalry helmets, gilt and damasked swords, silver epaulettes, molded armory chest plates and other Imperial garb.  Rooms 1 and 7 were adjoined to accommodate the huge group of prestigious lots with the walls covered in a chic steel-blue grey fabric as a backdrop.  The expert for the sale seemed extremely polite and willing to open glass cases for clients so I was able to discreetly glance at some of the swords up close.  The usual frustrating practice at Drouot is to show up from 11:00 to noon the day of the auction and fight for the attention of a representative who opens the case for you, if you’re lucky.    

Although I am not a specialist in this area, it is not difficult to recognize the rich artistry of the craftsmen who lovingly created the ceremonial weapons, providing a lesson in ornament and a myriad of silversmith, goldsmith and damasking techniques.   A ceremonial sword created by the director of the manufacture impériale de Versailles, Nicolas-Noël Boutet that probably belonged to Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (1778-1846), third brother of Napoleon and King of Holland from 1806-1810 (pictured above), was a spectacular example.    

Imperial Sword by N. Boutet, sold for €240, 000. (Photo: Thierry de Maigret)