A couple of weeks ago, Georges and I had a weekend afternoon all to ourselves and the weather was fine, so we decided to drop by the spring brocante on Rue des Martyrs in the 9th. Here's just some of what we found this time around (we were there for the fall event as well, since it's easy walking distance from our place).
Hang a gilded mirror like this in a home in New Jersey and it would just look gaudy. Hang it in an Parisian apartment with a marble fireplace, and suddenly it seems perfect.
Same seller as that gilded mirror. Guess you could call his selection "eclectic"?
I stopped in my tracks when I realized this old diploma was written in ENGLISH and was issued by the Supreme Court of the State of NEW YORK. Anyone know an Abraham H. Kesselman in New York City or State? Maybe he was an attorney or judge who moved to Paris? How did his diploma come to be here, I wonder.
Georges especially liked this little painting of (I think) the Madeleine in Paris. Too bad we weren't in a buying mood that day.
We saw at least three vendors that day selling this chrome-plated style of furniture, which made me think of those vintage Airstream trailers. Kitschy!
See? Chrome-plated table in an odd "wing" shape.
A chrome-plated armchair (we saw a LOT of these around) and end table, and... what's this? Achmed the Dead Terrorist (or his cousin) is back! He was at the fall brocante, too. Guess no one wanted to give him a good home...
Odd collection of old apothecary bottles and remedies.
This seller had large old maps for sale, the type usually used in schools - remember the maps on rollers that your geography teacher would pull down to show you where some place was located? Here's looking at you, kid...
And the winner of the "Most Bizarre" thing we sighted that day? This stuffed hog.
If you're going to be in Paris and want to find out where the best flea markets, brocantes, vide-greniers and thrift shops are, David Liebovitz just put out a really comprehensive post with tips and links on where to find the best deals.