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]

What characterizes this bronze chandelier from the 17th century is that it has never been converted to electricity. Everything here is original, and only the candles are adapted to its candle holders. Additionally, small vessels are intended to receive walnut oil and wicks to complete the decidedly intimate lighting setup.

Bronze Chandelier – Louis XIV – 17th Century – Quercy – [ME117]

17ᵗʰ century, Chandelier, France, Louis XIV, Metal, Midi-Pyrénées, Quercy, The treasure corner

In golden bronze, this midsize chandelier can hold candles at the top of the four candle holders that top its branches. As was practiced in the 17th century, four small vessels are arranged in the center to receive walnut oil and wicks to complement the original lighting setup. Below, a bowl is ready to absorb any potential overflow.

This oil barrel comes from the renowned pottery center of La Chapelle-des-Pots, located in the former province of Charentes, known as Saintonge. Exclusively in Saintonge, from the Middle Ages onward, these barrel-shaped potteries were crafted using the beautiful local clay, reserving walnut oil for the lighting of each household.

Glazed Terracotta Oil Barrel – 19th Century – Saintonge – [PA080]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Aquitaine, France, Occitanie, Oil barrel, Provincial art, South West of France, Terracotta, The treasure corner

This walnut oil barrel originates from the famous La Chapelle-des-Pots pottery center in the ancient province of Charentes, known as Saintonge. Exclusively crafted in Saintonge from the Middle Ages onward, these barrel-shaped potteries reserved walnut oil for household lighting, using the beautiful local clay.

This little Louis XIV gilded mirror illustrates the savoir-faire of 18th century miroitiers, guillocheurs, stuqueur and gold leaf gilder. It will bring happiness in a secret boudoir where it will have the place of honor.

Little Gilded Wooden Mirror – Louis XIV – 18th century – Midi Pyrénées – [ME 110]

18ᵗʰ century, France, Giltwood, Louis XIV, Midi-Pyrénées, Mirror, Period furniture, Small furniture, The treasure corner

This little Louis XIV gilded mirror is an example of the extraordinary mastery and savoir-faire of the maîtres miroitiers of the 18th century. These stucco plastered floral motifs, its guillochées surfaces, its pare close structure and the original central mirror make it a perfect companion in a cosy intimate boudoir.

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.

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…

Imperial oil jug – 19ᵗʰ century – Quercy – [PA072]

Imperial oil jug – 19ᵗʰ century – Quercy – [PA072]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Jug, Kitchen furniture, Oil jug, Provincial art, Quercy, Terracotta

Among the jewels of the salesroom gallery Aux-Rois-Louis, emerges this astonishing pottery which immediately evokes a beauty in an evening dress. She advances, as if towards an opera box, dressed in her sequined black evening dress and sporting on her throat her prettiest long necklace composed of pearls in the shape of flowers, of which…

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…

Two oil jugs - late 18th century early 19th century - Lot Valley, Quercy - [PA062] [PA063]

Two oil jugs – late 18th century early 19th century – Lot Valley, Quercy – [PA062] [PA063]

Antique pottery, Early 19ᵗʰ century, Kitchen furniture, Late 18ᵗʰ century, Oil jar, Oil jug, Quercy, Terracotta, The treasure corner

The Aux-Rois-Louis sales gallery offers a vast collection of ancient pottery from Aquitaine, Auvergne and Midi-Pyrénées. Two oil jugs – late 18th century early 19th century – Lot Valley, Quercy We recognize in the roundness of these jugs an exuberant and sensual inspiration specific to the ancient Quercy potters’ centers. Several clues seem to indicate…

Walnut sideboard with scallop shell – Louis XV – 18th century – Lot Valley – [ME067]

Walnut sideboard with scallop shell – Louis XV – 18th century – Lot Valley – [ME067]

18ᵗʰ century, Lot, Louis XV, Period furniture, Sideboard, Small furniture, The treasure corner, Walnut

Walnut sideboard with scallop shell – Louis XV – 18th century – Lot Valley – [ME067] Walnut sideboard with scallop shell – Louis XV – 18th century – Lot Valley Door medallion worked in projecting molding Patterns of points, windings and curved lines describe around the medallions of the doors a skilfully convoluted rim. What…

Cherry wood sideboard – Louis XV Regency – 18ᵗʰ century – Aveyron – [ME047]

Cherry wood sideboard – Louis XV Regency – 18ᵗʰ century – Aveyron – [ME047]

Aveyron, Buffet, Cherry wood, Early 18ᵗʰ century, Louis XV Regency, Period furniture, The treasure corner

Cherry wood sideboard – Louis XV Regency – 18ᵗʰ century – Aveyron – [ME047] We can detect a subtle variation of the Regency Louis XV style combining strict fidelity and well-assumed fantasy, if we carefully observe this period buffet in cherry wood shaped at the beginning of the 18ᵗʰ century. A rich and well-organized molding…

Two water jugs - 19ᵗʰ century - Midi-Pyrénées [PA036] [PA037]

Two water jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Midi-Pyrénées [PA036] [PA037]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Midi-Pyrénées, The treasure corner, Water jug

Two water jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Midi-Pyrénées Carried on the heads of women who went to fetch water from the village well or fountain, these jugs are called “head jugs”. In order to make the task less painful and less perilous, these water carriers made a straw wreath wrapped in fabric which they placed…

Oil jug  – 18ᵗʰ century – Quercy

Oil jug – 18ᵗʰ century – Quercy [PA013]

18ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Oil jar, Oil jug, Provincial art, Quercy, The treasure corner

Oil jug  – 18ᵗʰ century – Quercy This elegant oil jar, turned in the 18ᵗʰ century, is distinguished by its slender upward handle, its pinched spout, its gray brown glaze made with manganese and its decoration of knurled strips arranged diagonally. So many particular signs in this region of production, the Quercy, which make us…