The earth around the rolling moors of Staffordshire England is rich with clay and coal, A combination perfectly suited for the creation of both decorative and utilitarian ceramics. Craftsmen and artist have been making ceramics in the area from as early as the 15th century. While today it is almost impossible to rummage around an antique shop and not see at least a few examples of the brightly colored specimens—in their day they were pottery for the people. Why do they catch our imagination? They are really folk art. They capture sometime ordinary pleasures of life in a time of hardship. While we often think of British royalty or aristocracy (some figures of queen Victoria are common) life in the 19th century was often hard and grueling for the common folk. With short life expectancy, illiteracy and rampant infant death- Staffordshire ceramics with bright colors and whimsical scale brought pleasure and color to and otherwise bleak English existence.
Pottery for the People: Staffordshire
Spring Forward: The Dovecote
I suppose we can say that we have spring fever a bit early, the groundhog is just about— to either do his thing or not— as we welcome an almost 80 degree day here in Austin. It is warm enough for short sleeves and thoughts of the upcoming spring. No better day than today to celebrate the arrival of some ‘new’ old stuff thanks to the antique fairy.
So the dovecote–and its story. I often see them in France and England in my antiquing adventures. They are reminders, to me, of the lush unruly English gardens more so than the formal French ones. Although there is a particularly fine example in Marie Antoinette’s bucolic playground—the hameau at Versailles. Made of yellow stone and the famous thatched roof— any feathered resident would be delighted with its amenities.
The keeping of pigeons and doves dates probably back as far as upper Egypt. There are ruined stone examples of that fact that still exist. Doves and pigeons were an important commodity in ancient and medieval Europe. The fowl were valued for eggs, flesh and dung. Thus, any number of solutions were employed to facilitate a healthy flock. Of course, those with enough status and financial freedom to afford the luxury were of the nobility. Thus, the dovecote became a symbol of affluence and social status.
The french word for dovecote is ‘colombier’ or ‘fuie.’
Marie Antoinette’s hameau was designed by her favorite Richard Mique in a rustic vernacular style not typical of the neoclassicism he was known for. It drew inspiration from Norman and Flemish styles of architecture. Norman or northern French dovecotes were often built into the upper floor of the facade and were often protected by the roof. So the example at Versailles is an exceptional articulation of the rural style. Norman dovecotes, like the one that we have here at Atelier 1105, were also built of wood and were free-standing. Obviously, medieval examples of the wooden type did not often survive. So my guess is that our beauty is from the 19thcentury. One can usually judge by condition and other clues such as construction methods and patination for example.
In the Middle Ages, particularly in France, the possession of a colombier à pied (dovecote on the ground accessible by foot), constructed separately from the corps de logis of the manor-house, was a privilege of the seigneurial lord. He was granted permission by his overlord to build a dovecote or two on his estate lands. For the other constructions, the dovecote rights (droit de colombier) varied according to the provinces. They had to be in proportion to the importance of the property, placed in a floor above a henhouse, a kennel, a bread oven, even a wine cellar.
Although they produced an excellent fertilizer, the lord’s pigeons were often seen as a nuisance by the nearby peasant farmers, in particular at the time of sowing of new crops. In numerous regions of France, particularly Brittany and Normandy, where the right to possess a dovecote was reserved solely for the nobility, the complaint rolls very frequently recorded formal requests for the suppression of this privilege and a law for its abolition, which was finally ratified on 4 August 1789 in France.
So the revolution not only left the queen without a head and the hameau abandon, but also left the dovecote marginalized by a testy neighbor and government decree.
So with a little ingenuity and creativity, you can bring a bit of French ambiance to the backyard. With the dovecote installed and seeds at the ready, doves are on the way—and a large flock at that. This warm winter day feels more like spring.
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- Antique Wooden Dovecote at Atelier1105
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- Colombier au Hameau de la Reine
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- Colombier et Maison du Garde au Hameau de la Reine
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- Colombier Hameau de la Reine, Versailles
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- Drawing by John Claude Nattes of the Dovecote at Versailles
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- Madam des Faveures on a walk about London
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- Love this old image of an English dovecote in Chatham
Turkish Suzani
Central Asia has always been known as the land of textiles, where woman decorate every object they can with embroidery and appliques. Suzani comes from the Persian word “needle” referring to needlework. These are exquisite silk thread embroidered textiles, originally to be a brides dowry. The embroidery work would usually start at the birth of a daughter and was continued by family and friends until the dowry was complete. This would later become the coverlet for the bridal bed. Less is known about Suzani than about any other textiles from the region. Suzani have been little studied because, traditionally, they were made in the home for personal use and thus rarely appeared in the written records of merchants or travelers. Many motifs have been influenced by many countries and surrounding cities such as China, Persia and India. Suzani motifs are linked to the trade, many patterns were seen on stone, ceramics and textiles. These textiles are not only unique and beautiful they are also very symbolic, from the motifs to the color usage. Red is usually linked to blood, brown for the earth, and blue/black for the sky. Some of the symbolism is still unclear, the most popular representations are the sun, the moon, the heavens and fertility. Suzanis are hand embroidered and make delightful wall hangings, bedspreads, throws, pillows and even tablecloths. These textiles can bring color and texture to any environment.
On the way to Vienna: The Wachau Valley
If you are cruising down the Danube from the German state of Bavaria toward Vienna, you may blink and miss one of the most beautiful places in all of Austria, The Wachau Valley. The Wachau valley has been occupied by humans from Palaeolithic times, and where today country villages alternate with dark castle ruins on craggy cliffs. So much of world history lies throughout its small towns and villages. Melk is the first ancient town on the bank, it’s clifftop position made it an ideal military camp from which to fend off barbarians. Melk was permanently settled in the 9th century and the Babenbergs made it their royal residence. In the Middle Ages, the salt, wine and iron trades flourished here and in 1548 a fire reduced the town virtually to ashes, it was later rebuilt in the Renaissance style. Melk is known for its amazing landscape and massive baroque monasteries. The next stop flowing down the Danube is Durnstein described as the “most romantic place for the picturesque ancient terraced vineyards and monuments, in the Wachau.” Durnstein was established in 1019 AD and to this day can only be explored by foot. The famous Kuenringerburg Castle sits on high cliffs above the town, where King Richard I Lionheart of England was held captive by Duke Leopold V of Austria after a dispute during the Third Crusade, England had to pay a huge ransom for the Kings release. In 1645 during the Thirty Years’ War, Swedish troops burned Durnstein, leaving the Kuenringburg in ruins. From the river bank the views of the town are phenomenal, the castle ruins can be seen on the high cliffs as the town sits lower to the bank. The town is in the baroque style and that can be seen in the Abbey Church, shining brightly in blue and white, this is one of the finest baroque towers in all of Austria. The Wachau Valley is also famous for its production of apricots and grapes, both which are used to produce specialty liquors and wine. Most of Austria’s wine productions come from the Wachau due to the variation of climate between day and night. It actually has a unique warmer micro climate than other areas of the Austrian alps, making it an exception for the grape and fruit. Continuing on the journey down the valley to Vienna you see bright town houses from the 16th to 18th century, late gothic town halls and rolling wine vineyards. Before arriving in Vienna there are some smaller towns such as Stein, Tulln Basin and Klosterneuburg with fine buildings, some in the Gothic style but most have been rebuilt in the 18th Century in the baroque style so often associated with the Austria. The closer and closer you get to Vienna the more you fall in love with it, all of it!
…… Stay tuned and we will take you on a tour through the fabulous and magnificent Vienna.
The Schlosshotel
![berlin-alma-schlosshotel-im-grunewald-245789[1]](http://atelier1105blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/berlin-alma-schlosshotel-im-grunewald-2457891-445x130.jpg "berlin-alma-schlosshotel-im-grunewald-245789[1]")
The Schlosshotel was built in 1912 in the middle of the town of Berlin as a private palace for Dr. Walter von Pannwitz. After his death in 1920 the palace was left to the care of an administrator. After the exile of the German Emperor, Emperor Wilhelm II, the palace was occupied by Russian forces. The palace was used as a magnificent “Embassy Club” fully equipped with 60 employees and a French master chef until late 1949. In 1951, 10 rooms of the palace were exclusively leased and later 40. By 1984 the exclusive hotel was slowly decaying and put up for sale, a group of Berlin families purchased the property and agreed to transform it into a first-class luxury hotel. After three years of substantial restoration and renovations the hotel opened its doors in 1994 as “Schlosshotel Vier Jahreszeiten Berlin”. As soon as you arrive, an atmosphere of elegance enchants you, with marvelous gardens, exquisite lobbies and lounges and gourmet restaurants. The breathtaking gardens are a privilege; no one would dream that they were in a large city. The fabulous lounges offer an unsurpassable sensation for those who use them, fully stocked with an English bar beside a fireplace. The Library lounge is noted for its focus on Berlin history, it offers an exclusive setting for computer and technology usage. The glamorous gourmet restaurants can offer either a private setting with a maximum capacity of 10 or a larger setting with Mediterranean cuisine and traditional Berlin dishes. The design of the entire palace is reminiscent and typical of Berlin classicism of the 18th century. The Schlosshotel was designed by Karl Lagerfield, a famous German fashion designer; he blended the traditional Berlin style of circa 1910 with modern conveniences and contemporary design. The Schlosshotel forms part of a whole whose quality is a classical, in other words, timeless beauty.
![room[1]](http://atelier1105blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/room1.jpg "room[1]")
![schloss-lounge_1367160c[1]](http://atelier1105blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/schloss-lounge_1367160c1.jpg "schloss-lounge_1367160c[1]")
![berlin-alma-schlosshotel-im-grunewald-245789[1]](http://atelier1105blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/berlin-alma-schlosshotel-im-grunewald-2457891.jpg "berlin-alma-schlosshotel-im-grunewald-245789[1]")
Porte de Clignancourt
Porte de Clignancourt is the most famous flea market in Paris, officially called Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, but known to everyone as Les Puces (The Fleas). It was founded in the late 17th Century, covers seven hectares and is the largest antique market in the world, receiving between 120,000 to 180,000 visitors each weekend. Porte de Clingnancourt is a stop on the Atelier 1105 Paris Trip! Don’t miss it! Here are a couple of tips for anyone shopping for antiques.
Flea Market Tips
- Choose a central meeting point and time after you arrive so that members of your group can wander off in different directions depending on their interests. Then you can join each other and share your discoveries and purchases.
- Go to the Flea Market in the morning as it becomes very crowded in the afternoon.
- Hide your wallets under your shirt or sweaters around your neck. You don’t need a lot of cash anyway, as most dealers accept credit cards.
- Don’t bring your passports to the Flea Market or miscellaneous credit cards that you won’t use: we have never needed our passports to buy there because antiques do not have VAT for the detaxe refund. We do charge antiques on our credit cards, so bring the essential ones.
- Negotiating: If you love to shop for antiques then you don’t need my advice, but remember that everything is negotiable.
- It helps to have someone around, who is great at saying in a loud voice that we don’t need this mirror at all, it’s too expensive, etc. If the dealers think they might lose the sale, it speeds up the negotiation.
- I’m giving away all my secrets, but I sometimes pull out my calculator, punch a few buttons, look up and say: ‘It doesn’t work at €900; can you do it for €750? They realize I am a dealer and must have the lowest possible price.
- You don’t have to complete the sale on the spot; get a mobile phone number and call the dealer the next day to negotiate. If they haven’t had a big weekend (and with the Euro at new highs against the dollar, business is very slow) they will be more willing to give a good discount.
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Maison & Objet
Maison & Objet is the worlds most talked about home fashion showcase in Paris presenting the new spring and summer collections of 2012. Architects and Interior Designers from around the world travel to Paris to explore this amazing show and get fresh new inspirations. Everything from home accessories to tableware to textiles will be showcased. This will be a melting pot of cultures and styles that will send you home with new ideas and great inspiration. Maison & Objet is one of the stops on the Atelier Paris trip coming this September. To find out more check out Maison&Objet Online!
Paris Paris Paris
Paris is on our mind at Atelier 1105 and our Paris trip is right around the corner -this fall! There is no better way to enjoy fall than a couple of weeks in Paris. SHOPPING! Our trip to Paris will take you on an exclusive guided tour through many antique flee markets, top secret sidewalk sales, the famous Maison et Objet and sight seeing. Explore all the precious gems found in France, including the Louvre, Versailles and the Eiffel Tower. Eat at exquisite restaurants and do one of a kind shopping. The Antiquing journey will lead you throughout the entire city of Paris, you will be able to buy all the antique furniture, accessories and trinkets your heart desires and we will take care of shipping it back to you. You will have the great opportunity to shop and buy one of a kind french antiques while enjoying France for all its worth. Don’t miss the amazing opportunity and bring some of your friends along for an even better journey. Check out our Itinerary online!
Atelier 1105
Atelier 1105 can be described as many things, a french antique studio, an interior design workshop, a perfumery and a one stop gift shop, it’s true we are all that and more. Carrying many lines, both domestic and imported, in home accessories, dinnerware, jewelry, health and beauty products to name a few. We carry popular collections including Tokyo Milk, Lafco and Cote Bastide. We also have exclusive collections including Caron Parfums, a french perfumery created in 1905 in Paris by Earnest Daltroff, inspired by a great love story, each scent is a reminder of a special event in the heart of the world of luxury; and Santa Maria Novela created in the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella in Italy in the early 1200′s, it started as one of the oldest pharmacies in the world and by early 1600′s it was open to the public and founded as the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. The Caron collection consists of Parfums, colognes, extracts, lotions and body powder; Santa Maria Novella consists of colognes, soaps, hair and body care and room fragances. The entire menu can be found at Atelier 1105 in The Domain. If you have lived or traveled through europe you may recognize the various collections, if you have not, stop by and we will be happy to introduce you to new wonderful products! Aside from being ‘just’ a retail shop Atelier 1105 also offers full interior design services, our wonderful interior designers and store owners have 30 years of combined experience and can work with you to give you the dream home you have always wanted.
Lafco Limited Edition Holiday Candles
The Holidays are here, officially! its hard to accept the fact when the weather in Central Texas can reach a high of 70 degrees, there is no way of keeping track with the fact that Christmas is just weeks away. There is nothing better than to create your own Christmas atmosphere in your home, maybe its not a snowy white night but the scents of winter and the holidays should always be around and should always be warming and comforting. When you think of the holidays what typically comes to mind is the refreshing scent of a freshly cut evergreen tree with its prickly boughs and cones, the only thing you would need is a lit fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows to have the most wonderful night. Or better yet a warm aroma coming from the kitchen, the scent of a straight out of the oven cranberry tart with a hint of lemon and orange zest the combination is both refreshing and festive, for the perfect night I would just add a glass of red wine! Lafco has brilliantly created the Holiday Edition candles to make this holiday season as festive and comforting as possible. The TREE candles are a perfect combination of evergreen trees with a touch of balsam, birch, and citrus. The BERRY candle set is a subtle aroma of boiling cranberries mixed with currants and a lemon and citrus zest. As always LAFCO uses 100% cotton wicks to maximize burn time and fragrance delivery, this guarantees you approximately 90 hours of pure joy. Each candle is set in a hand blown vessel to magically transform any space. Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!
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