French Architectural Salvage
A beautifully timeworn pair of French carved and gilded wooden fragments. Nearly symetrical in form, each has deeply carved scrolls and leaf-shaped details surrounding a raised central motif.
What I love is the surface. Much of the original gilding has worn away, leaving layers of gold, warm wood and old finish exposed. The result is less formal than these pieces must once have been -- and far more interesting.,
The backs tell another part of the story. Flat, unfinished and marked by old mounting holes, they were clearly made to be attached to something larger. Simple hanging hardware was added later, allowing them to live, charmingly, on the wall.
Hand-carved wood with remnants of gilding
12" H x 11" W
I found these at one of my favorite booths at the Faire de Chatou. The kind of place where looking at what is hanging on the walls is only the beginning. There are always crates tucked underneath the tables and I've learned to take my time. These are exactly the sort of thing that delights me. Old. Imperfect. A little mysterious. And I couldn't leave them behind.
