VIEUX PARIS

     Old Paris porcelain, or as the French say, Vieux Paris, refers not to a single Manufacturer, but to more than thirty porcelian sources, based with in the city of Paris, between the mid 1700's until around 1870, at the end of the Second Empire.The term was not actually used until the latter part of that period.
    The various Paris Artisans, mostly situated in the northeast side of Paris,housed their skills in a hury or went out of business. At the outset, they had to compete with King Louis XV's own Royal Manufactory at Sevres, just 18 miles to the south-west of the city. Old Paris manufactures catered more quickly to changing styles and customs. By the turn of the nineteenth century,nearly all Old Paris porcelain was the hard paste variety.



One of a Pair of Vases on Mantle in Down River Parlor.



Unusual Oriental Design.

Down River Parlor Mantle.

   No mark ever came to synonymous with Old Paris china. Around 70 % of the Old Paris production during its era had no mark at all. Much of the blanks or "white ware" were produced by Limoge or Sevres. The Old Paris producers job, was strickly to act as decorators. But magnificent works came from these people. Style from Neo- Classical, Rococo Revival to Renaissance Revival.
   With the sensitivity to changing times, the various exponents of Old Paris porcelain are among the finest European porcelain produced of that time.
   Some antique dealers and colectors do not consider Old Paris to be so fine. Especially when they compare it to Meissen, Sevres or KPM. But, I for one, love it as much, or not more. The artist who did the decorating of Old Paris were very talented. They knew how to paint, and there flowers are my favorite.
    Old Paris porcelains have a historical Rococo Revival style and are quite popular around the world. Such porcelains are particulary popular in the American South, with large collections of Old Paris in the Antebellum great houses in the lower Mississippi River valley.
    When porcelain competetion picked up and new innovative Old Paris products were being produced by numerous factories in and around Paris, manufactures were forced to bring the prices down and the quality up in order to gain a fair share of the market.The range of product widen and so did the designs and variety, hence giving the masses a wide spectrum of choices in Old Paris.



Minatures in Down River Parlor.



One of a Pair on Etergee in Up River Parlor.

Back side of above.

Close up of Romantic Scene.

Rose Wood Etergee in Up  River Parlor with 2 Pair of Old Paris Vases.

Fan Vase ,one of a Pair, with Tulips ,in Up River Parlor.

Close Up of Hand Painted Tulip.

Old Paris Rococo Clock in Up River Parlor.



Pair of Fan Vases in Entrance  Hall.



Close Up Detail of Painting.

Old Paris  Tea Pot with Hand Painted Ivy.



A wall in the Master Bath.





Pair Old Paris Vases on Mantle in Master Bed Room.

 

Napoleans Wedding Scene.

Backside.



View of the Master Bed Room Mantle.



Old Paris Fan Vase on Pier Mirror in Down River Parlor.

Hand Painted Lilac are Unusual.

Very Rare and Unusual Piece of Old Paris with Portrait and Cherub.



Old Paris Covered Cup and Saucer.



A Gift of Frienship.



Mantle in Down River Parlor with Pair of Old Paris Vases.



Minature Old Paris Plate on Stand with Goat.

Minature Old Paris Ring Box.



Tea Table in Down River Parlor with Old Paris Minatures.



    Great amounts of Old Paris was produced for the American market. Often people taking the "grand tour", shipped many of these pieces back to America. Soon American merchants, were having crates brought in for sale, here in the stores, of Americas large cities.
   I love the Rococo style. The Neo- Classical is far more rare and valuable.But the Rococo is loud,bright and really stands out. I have always been attracted to tasteful gaudy. I have always loved Old Paris and only regret that I can not afford more pieces. Once in awhile, I find something wonderful, that is affordable, but usually the prices are over my head. So, I am gratefull, for the pieces I have. Small chips and cracks, never  bother me, when it comes to Old Paris. I just look the other way when it comes to these monor flaws. It is more affordable in the East and Mid West, than it is in the South. Southern people love their Old Paris.One of the most beautiful sets of Old Paris dinner ware is in a home in Natchez, Mississippi. After seeing it, I fell in lust.
   I hope you enjoy seeing my, Old Paris, as much, as I enjoy sharing it with you.  I have some pieces for sale in my shop. Richard's Great Stuff in Clarksville, Mo. If you have any interest just call me or email. 573- 242 -9688. cottrellprissy@aol.com
   If you would like to know more about my little town, Clarksville,Mo., stop by for a visit. http://www.clarksvillemo.us/
  If you would like to check  out my own line shop, click here. http://www.richadsgreatstuff.etsy.com/

Snow at My Old Historic House

Fresh Falling Snow On the Patio at My Old Historic House.

Southern Magnolias in  Mid America.

Snow at My Old Historic House in Clarksville,Mo.

Sissy Dog The Beagle

   I have often mentioned my little girl, Sissy Dog,  the Beagle,in my blogs. Well I wanted to share with you. all my new friends, in BLOG land, some pictures of her. She has quite a personality.

Sissy Dog, in the kitchen, in her bed, made from an old cotton picking basket.

Sissy gets on this chair, by the side door  and waites for me, when she wants to go out.

Sissy is not suspose to be on the parlor furniture.

I collect oil paintings of Beagle dogs.

Sissy Dog with Santa Dec. 2010.

Sissy was cold in the antique shop so I covered her with my coat.

   I have had three Beagle girls in the last 18 years. The first little girl, Missy Dog, came from a dog pond in Blowling Green,Mo. I was living in St.Louis at the time and wanted to go back to my child hood, where my family always had Beagles on our farm. I had her one year, and I became so attached, it was really sad. Well, I was a bad dog parent, I let her walk with out a leash, and in a big city, that was not good. Well, she was hit by a car, running after a neighbors cat. I almost lost my mind.But, I had a very good support system of Antique Dealer friends, who helped me through it all. One friend, David, had a dog, a little boy, his name was Winston, and he and Missy were the best of friends.  David and I traveled a lot, doing out of town antique shows, and the dogs went with us. After Missys death, David and Winston, gave me a few week old ,baby Beagle girl. At first I had nothing to do with her. I just could not go through all that again. I finally gave in to her beautiful sweet face, and I named her Prissy Dog.The first year of Prissys life was a real hell. I had never riased a puppy before, and boy did I have a lot to learn. Well Ms. Prissy was a real Love, but she was never ,what one should call an Angel. She lived over 15 years, and for all those years, we had little presents left, all over the shop and house.

Some times Sissy Dog gets on my counter at the shop.

Sissy Dog in "HER" chair at the antique store.

 She would go for weeks,and then, here would be a rose bud or a puddle of tears. Prissy was also a sickly dog, my vet bills were out of sight. But, I loved her, took care of her, and cleaned up after her. She died a year ago last June. I said at that time, that's it, no more dogs. I made it with out one, no problem, not wanting one and happy with out one. Then in December, a year ago, my neighbor, found this little girl dog, running wild, on the streets of our little town. She was cold, starved and wild. Stacy caught her and took her under her wing. She had in mind to give her to me. I refused for the longest time. But one day, I took her for a walk and a visit, and she spent the night. Well she was wonderful. No presents were left for me and she was just perfect from that day on. I named her Sissy Dog in honor of Missy and Sissy.
  Sissy Dog, goes to the store with me everday, where she is looked at more than the mercandise. She is loved by all in our little town and has made it known that she is the Queen B.
   When you live alone, there is nothing better than a dog or cat. They may be some trouble, but the benifits, far out weigh the bad. Sissy Dog knows when I am happy or sad. She sits on my lap and watches TV, and sleeps on the foot of my bed. She is so full of life, sometimes I just bust out laughing at her actions. She asks very little in return, food, water and walks. And she is so beautiful and loves the camera. If you ever come see me at, MY OLD HISTORIC HOUSE ,or my antique shop, you can count on Sissy Dog to be there with a jump and a kiss.
  Don't forget my on line shop. http://www.richadsgreatstuff.etsy.com/

Victorian Homes Magazine

  When  I was young, I always dreamed of having my home in a magazine. I would turn through the pages of various magazines and think,someday I will have my house in one of these magazines. Well,it looks like I am going to finally   get it done. Last October, the people from Victorian Homes Magazine ,came and spent several days and nights taking pictures. When they called to make the appointment, after I fell out of my chair, they asked if we had a Hotel. well, we don't. So I offered them a room at my house. they took me up on it, and I went into a tale spin. I called every body I knew who could sweep, dust and mop, to come help. I had only 2 weeks to prepare. I did yard work in the day light and hit the inside at night. Then I had to get 2 beds ready and the bath rooms. The last day I was stealing flowers all over town, not a lot to pick from in middle  of October. I rather have garden flowers than flower shop flowers. I made a pie ,home made bread and cooked a turkey. You think I over re-acted. Well we had fun, was a lot of work. Long days, but early nights, as they liked to use natural light. So in the evening ,we would set on my screen porch and eat pie, drink wine and watch the Mississippi River go by.
  They will not  tell me when I will appear. They said they would give me heads up about one month ahead of print. They usually do 6 months in advance, so I figure the  first time it could appear would be summer. I am so excited. I could just bust. I will let every one know as soon as I can. Imagine me, a little farm boy from Missouri, with his house,  in a national Magazine. I just got my lastest copy and that is why I thought I would share this with you.

  Can you believe, my family and I took 13 chandeliers apart and cleaned them , put them back together and did not break one piece. It was a miracle.And I made the announcement that, that was the last time, they will ever be clean. Well unless another magazine calls.

MARBLIZING

   Marblizing or Faux  Marbling, is the preperation  and finishing of a surface ,to imitate the appearance ,of polished marble. Faux marbling is a special case of faux painting ,used to create the distinctive and varied patterns of marble,the most imitated stone.
  First used in Pompeii, but really took off in Europe during the Renaissance.
The Italian school of faux painting was loose and artistic, while the French, was formal and realistist. True marblizing should be so good that people frequently are unable to distinguish the real from the false. The techniques were perfected by the 17th century and have been used in all style of construction, well into the 20th century.
  The art of Marbling reached its apogee between 1845 and 1870. Some of the best examples are found in Buckingham Palace,where the pillars in the Emperors Room, were done to perfection and  imitate marble. Most visitors are amazed when told they are faux.
   It is a process of layering tinted transparent glaze over a base coat, to create a marble like look. The glaze is manipulated while still wet, to form patterns and textures. Feathers were often used to paint the veins.
   About three houses ago, I visited the Missouri Governors Mansion in Jefferson City, Mo. The Double parlor was seperated by 4 floor to ceiling columns, that had been marbled. I was so taken by the look, I came home and wanted some in my own home. After calling several local faux artist and getting bids to have some marblizine done, I soon found that I could not afford it. So being an Artist, I did gradulate with a BSE degee in Art from Missouri Univeristy, I thought, I am going to have to do it myself. I bought a book, and read up on the techniques. I went to the hardware store and bought some paint, glaze and a sea spoonge and I sat down with a piece of real marble ,close by and started out. I have learned through the years and each project seems to get easier and a little better. I think I do the Italian version, as mine is more loose and artistic.

Dining Room Mantle.Siencse Marble Style, from Italy.

Close up detail, Dinning Room Mantle.My Marblizing.



Side of Dining Room Mantle and Base Board.



Marblizing, I did on Dining Room Mantle.

Marblied Base Board in Dining Room in Siencse Italian Marble Style. 

Entrance Hall Base Board in the style of Tennesse Pink Marble.



Powder Room Foor of real Tennessee Pink Marble.



Powder Room Floor,  off the Entrance Hall base Board.One Real and One Faux.

Entrance Hall Base Board with my Marblizing.




B

Close up of Marblizing, Down River Parlor Mantle.

Real White Italian Marble, table top, Down River Parlor.

Base Board with My Marblizing ,in Down River Parlor.

Full View of Down River Parlor Mantle with My Marblizing.

Actual White Italian Marble Mantle in Up River Parlor.

Top of Gold Gilt Pier Mirror in Up River Parlor with my Marblizing.

View of Gold Gilt Pier Mirror Up River Parlor.

Coming soon in a future post, Chandeliers of My Old Historic House.

  In this post I will share with you the projects that I have done at My Old Historic House. The Dining Room mantle and baseboards, Down River Parlor Mantle and baseboards, The baseboard in the Entrance Hall and the top of a large gold gilt Pier Table in the Up River Parlor. I have also added some photos of the mantle in the Up River Parlor, which is the real thing,  so you can compare the real one to the Faux.
  If you have time and feel like it, please drop by my online store after you are finished with this blog. Just click, http://www.richadsgreatstuff.etsy.com/
  Thanks for stopping by. Come visit any time. I will leave the light on and Sissy Girl will meet you  at the door with a jump and a kiss.