Polychrome Walnut Virgin with Serpent – 18th Century – Midi-Pyrénées – [ME116]

Polychrome Walnut Virgin with Serpent – 18th Century – Midi-Pyrénées – [ME116]

18ᵗʰ century, Midi-Pyrénées, Objects bearing history, Period furniture, Sculpture, Statuette, The treasure corner, Walnut, Wood species

Explore the iconic 18th-century polychrome walnut sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary triumphing over a serpent, symbolizing the Immaculate Conception. Standing gracefully with arms wide open on a half-globe, the Virgin crushes the serpent beneath her bare foot. The finely carved piece showcases intricate details, from the peaceful expression on Mary’s face to the polychromatic hues highlighting the mystical nature of the artwork. Uncover the hidden symbolism as the serpent holds an apple, representing the Virgin as the new Eve who, in the 17th century context, erases the transgressions of the first woman. The dimensions of this masterpiece are 56 cm in height, 32 cm in width, and a diameter of 21 cm. [Reference: ME116]

It is believed to have the power to chase away demons, and that's why Pope Leo IV chose it in the 9th century to reign on the steeples of our churches. Very rare, this all-copper church steeple rooster has descended for a while, ready to come protect your home.

Church Steeple Rooster in Copper – 19th Century – Languedoc-Roussillon – [MP050]

19ᵗʰ century, Copper, Country furniture, Metal, Objects bearing history, Popular art furniture, Sculpture, The treasure corner

Discover the extraordinary power attributed to the church steeple rooster – a demon-chaser chosen by Pope Leo IV in the 9th century to grace our church steeples. A truly rare find, this all-copper rooster has descended briefly, ready to safeguard your home.

Inseparable salt and flour boxes in walnut - 18th century - Provence - [MP025]

Inseparable salt and flour boxes in walnut – 18th century – Provence – [MP025]

18ᵗʰ century, Kitchen furniture, Late 18ᵗʰ century, Objects bearing history, Popular art furniture, Provence, Walnut

Inseparable salt and flour boxes in walnut – 18th century – Provence – [MP025] Inseparable salt and flour boxes in walnut – 18th century – Provence Let’s first describe how the kitchens of yesteryear used these two pretty boxes carved from walnut, the best wood for this purpose. When at rest they were hung up…

Here are two impressive twisted walnut columns from the 18th century. Initially, they adorned the base of the monumental staircase in a public building located in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Now, they are prepared to enhance the charm of a film set or a private residence.

Two Twisted Walnut Columns – 18th Century – Midi-Pyrénées – [ME105]

18ᵗʰ century, Midi-Pyrénées, Objects bearing history, Period furniture, Small furniture, The treasure corner, Walnut, Wood species

Here are two impressive twisted walnut columns from the 18th century. Initially, they adorned the base of the monumental staircase in a public building located in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Now, they are prepared to enhance the charm of a film set or a private residence.

Mortar and pestle in beech wood – 18th century – South-West

Mortar and pestle in beech wood – 18th century – South-West of France – [MP039]

18ᵗʰ century, Beech, Country furniture, Craft furniture, Mortar, Objects bearing history, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, South West of France, The treasure corner, Tools, Wood species

Mortar and pestle in beech wood – 18th century – South-West Mortar and pestle in beech wood – 18th century – South-West of France The pestle of this mortar is held with two hands, and the force exerted to crush chestnuts, for example, is increased by the nails planted on its end. Dimensions: Height: 67…

Large Louis XV mirror – gilded wood – late 18ᵗʰ century – Midi-Pyrénées – [ME084]

Large Louis XV mirror – gilded wood – late 18ᵗʰ century – Midi-Pyrénées – [ME084]

Giltwood, Late 18ᵗʰ century, Louis XV, Midi-Pyrénées, Mirror, Objects bearing history, Period furniture, The treasure corner

Large Louis XV mirror – gilded wood – late 18ᵗʰ century – Midi-Pyrénées – [ME084] Large Louis XV Mirror – Gilded Wood – Late 18ᵗʰ Century – Midi-Pyrénées The imposing frontispiece of this Louis XV mirror seems to have been sculpted to the size of the generous cornucopia that flourishes in the middle. Symbol of…

This desk table was probably the prerogative of a high dignitary of the Customs corps, in charge of a flourishing trading post located on the banks of the Olt, the former name of the Lot.

Desk table in oak and chestnut – Louis XIII – 17th century – Quercy – [ME074]

17ᵗʰ century, Chestnut, Desk table, Louis XIII, Oak, Objects bearing history, Period furniture, Quercy, Small furniture, Table, The treasure corner

Desk table in oak and chestnut – Louis XIII – 17th century – Quercy Given the rarity of this type of table that served as a desk, one can imagine that this piece of furniture from Quercy experienced the heyday of river transport on the Lot during the 17th century. This desk table was probably…

Large cast iron vat for laundry – 16ᵗʰ century – Fonderies du Périgord – [ME076]

Large cast iron vat for laundry – 16ᵗʰ century – Fonderies du Périgord – [ME076]

16ᵗʰ century, Cast iron, Cast iron vat, Metal, Objects bearing history, Périgord, Period furniture, Wash boiler

This large cast iron tub was intended to do the laundry of the entire community. It was filled with boiling water and an ash-based detergent, the very one we are rediscovering today. The drain called the “couladou” made it possible to empty it without spilling it, once the laundry was washed. We can observe two…

Sugar boiler for the Colonies – 16ᵗʰ century – Fonderies du Périgord – [ME075]

Sugar boiler for the Colonies – 16ᵗʰ century – Fonderies du Périgord – [ME075]

16ᵗʰ century, Cast iron, Cast iron vat, Metal, Objects bearing history, Périgord, Period furniture, Sugar boiler

From the Périgord Foundries, these cast iron vats are recognizable at first glance. They are rounded in shape, equipped with rod handles and without couladous (drainage in Occitan) which made it possible to stack them for transport. These boilers were indeed intended for export. They were to join by sea, on large ships, the French…

Salt chest armchair – chestnut - cherry - poplar – 19th century – Quercy – [MP029]

Salt chest armchair – chestnut – cherry – poplar – 19th century – Quercy – [MP029]

19ᵗʰ century, Armchair, Castle furniture, Cherry wood, Chest armchair, Chestnut, Country furniture, fireplace accessory, Objects bearing history, Poplar, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, Quercy, Small furniture

Salt chest armchair – chestnut – cherry – poplar – 19th century – Quercy – [MP029] The salt chest armchair Patriarch’s Throne, King of Cantou If there is one thing that lords and farmers had in common from the Middle Ages until the 19th century, it was the use of the fireplace, the only means…

Apothecary mortar in marble - late 18th century - France - [ME068]

Apothecary mortar in marble – late 18th century – France – [ME068]

France, Late 18ᵗʰ century, Marble, Mortar, Objects bearing history, Period furniture, Tools

Apothecary mortar in marble – late 18th century – France – [ME068] Apothecary mortar in marble – late 18th century – France This frustoconical mortar was sculpted in a block of veined white marble, then patiently polished by hand, to obtain an impeccable softness to the touch and an irreproachable regularity of shapes. That of…

Walnut storage cabinet – 18ᵗʰ century – France – [ME066]

Walnut storage cabinet – 18ᵗʰ century – France – [ME066]

18ᵗʰ century, France, Louis XIV, Objects bearing history, Period furniture, Small furniture, Storage cabinet, The treasure corner, Walnut

On the front of this walnut storage cabinet, there are eight drawers adorned with the original bronze handles. Walnut storage cabinet – 18ᵗʰ century – France You have before you the ancestor of the diplomatic bag … It is in fact in this kind of cabinet with drawers that the high dignitaries of the 16ᵗʰ…

Sculpture in anamorphosis of Saint Sebastian, sculpted in the 17th century in a walnut monoxyl.

Sculpture in anamorphosis of Saint Sebastian – 17ᵗʰ century – South of France – [ME065]

17ᵗʰ century, Objects bearing history, Period furniture, Sculpture, South of France, Walnut

Sculpture in anamorphosis of Saint Sebastian, sculpted in the 17th century in a walnut monoxyl. Sculpture in anamorphosis of Saint Sebastian – 17ᵗʰ century – South of France According to the “Légende dorée” (Golden Legend) of the Italian Dominican Jacques de Voragine, the young Sebastian, a fervent Christian persecuted by the pagan Roman Empire, was…

Beech butcher's block - early 20th century - [MP022]

Beech butcher’s block – early 20ᵗʰ century – [MP022]

Beech, Butcher’s block, Craft furniture, Early 20ᵗʰ century, France, Kitchen furniture, Objects bearing history, Popular art furniture, Provincial art

Beech butcher's block – early 20th century – [MP022] Beech butcher’s block – early 20ᵗʰ centuryCERTAIN CRAFT FURNITURE RECALLS CHILDHOOD MEMORIES THAT ENCHANT YOUR HOME Haberdashery counter, clothier’s table, butcher’s block, all these pieces of furniture attached to the know-how of the artisans of our neighborhoods awaken happy memories in us. Those of a life…

Scalloped cornice and cimaise

Mansion clock in cherry wood – 18ᵗʰ century – Périgord – [ME057]

18ᵗʰ century, Cherry wood, Clock, Late 18ᵗʰ century, Louis XV, Objects bearing history, Périgord, Period furniture, The treasure corner

Mansion clock in cherry wood – 18ᵗʰ century – Périgord – [ME057] FROM THE SUN TO THE WATCH, FROM PRAYER TO THE POINTEUSE, A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CAPTURE OF TIME The millennial quest for the measurement of time will free itself from the course of the Sun and the flow of water to…