Most of us have warm memories of cooking and baking, the kitchen is often our very favorite room in the house. Do you ever smell a pie baking, or a chicken roasting, and are right back in your Mom's kitchen? The kitchen really speaks to our hearts in so many ways; usually cozy, and warm, and filled with delicious smells.
Because of a renewed interest in cooking and entertaining at home, culinary antiques are becoming some of the most sought-after antiques collectors are searching for right now. They are some of the most popular antiques flying off the shelves at FrenchGardenHouse Antiques, and it's easy to see why!
Not only will they still be useful, they are so decorative, that even if they never serve another meal, they just look gorgeous displayed in any room.
French Country culinary antiques appeal to younger collectors in particular, who love how the 19th century cooking antiques compliment their farmhouse style kitchens.
TIPS FOR COLLECTING CULINARY ANTIQUES:
There are French Country culinary antiques for the casual collector and the serious connoisseur. Whether they come from the "below stairs" kitchen of an elegant chateau or a quaint country village bistro, culinary antiques are the perfect complement to your grand pursuits of dining, cooking and entertaining.
DISCOVER YOUR PASSION.
There are many different types of French Country kitchen antiques, and collectors generally fall into three categories: 1. Collectors who collect only one thing, striving to find better and better, or more rare pieces.
2. Collectors who collect a series of objects, such as everything made of copper.
BE FORGIVING.
As these were useful antiques, and collected for sentimental or decorative reasons, country culinary antiques don’t have to be pristine. Nothing evokes the Provençal countryside more than things that have lost some of their paint and polish. A little chip here and there, a crack, these show that country kitchen antiques have been used, you can virtually taste the heritage of these older pieces. Many collectors actually prefer pieces with well-worn patina and wear.
DISPLAY LIKE ART.
Using French Country antiques in your home and kitchen creates a link from today to a culture when every item was created with care, by artisans who cared about each detail. Eye-catching, culinary antiques connect the dots of that past to the present.
French pottery from the Provence, and Alsace region makes every kitchen speak French, fluently. You can use these old treasures to brighten up your kitchen, but they look just as stunning displayed as a piece of art amid a collection of antique books {cooking or not} or holding a handful of flowers or herbs from your garden as a centerpiece.
USE AND ENJOY.
A collection of antique kitchen or tableware is meant to be enjoyed, used and shared. They are precious, but were made to be hardworking and sturdy. They are not relics of the past, please don't be afraid to use them!
31 comments
What a beautiful post. The photo of the olive bowls really tugs at my heart, as I am an olive lover… any of them, anytime… breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack! I love the onion boards, too. As always, your images transport me to a calm and beautiful place! And this time, with great food. ;)
My grandmother used to keep a old vintage green bottle of cold water in her refrigerator. No water ever tasted that good as the water from that bottle!
Lidy,
These amazing French Culinary antiques truly make my heart beat a little faster. I am always in awe that these useful yet beautiful items have stood the test of time, weathered much service, and are still ready to serve—either in their original purpose, or some creative new one. That they have outlived their original owner (maybe several owners) makes me respect them dearly for the history they hold.
Years ago I purchased a beautiful copper oblong vessel with sturdy handles which I love to use for displaying plants or flowers. Now I know it is a poissoniere. Now there’s a fish story. ;) Hope you did something fun on your Birthday! Blessings to you.
Lidy, I love EVERYTHING! Especially the vintage breadboards, but above all I want to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
X0, Ginger
The tureens have stolen my heart! They speak the history of long meals centered around something warm and bubbly and some good bread. True comfort food! I’m decorating with a little more pottery these days so I just love your collection.
Your photography in this post is awesome!
Jane x
Sigh….my stomach is in a knot….I LOVE the photos. Thanks you!
Ali
Cooking is one of my hobbies. The French pottery will be great to have in my kitchen. Thank you for the inspiration.
Love these antiques!
Thanks Lidy! I just love the bread boards!
I’m totally loving your French pottery……so beautiful….
When I was a little girl I just loved helping my grandma in the kitchen, if I close my eyes tight I’m right back in her kitchen helping her strip the peas from the pods….:-)
Smiles~~
Maritza