Moorabool is privileged to be asked to infuse some ‘French Culture’ into Geelong’s National Trust house ‘The Heights’. This is part of their special event, ‘Le Festival Français’ – an annual weekend of celebrating everything French.
On the last weekend of October, 2023, this historic house will have a ‘trés Français’ look.
Lady with child & dog, signed & dated 1783
We have selected a quantity of French items both in stock at Moorabool, and in the ‘Lorraine Rosenberg Reference Library’, also at Moorabool.
The late Lorraine Rosenberg was a self-confessed Francophile, and French items such as some superb Sévres were collected as study pieces.
A very French item is the Faience plate with propaganda. These must have been like a ‘political poster’ stating your views – think Australia’s recent YES/NO exercise. If you supported the Revolutionaries, you would display your plate with Revolutionary motifs; if you were w Royalist, you would make sure your Royalist plate disappeared from view as soon as the Revolutionaries started guillotining everyone with Royal sympathies!
We have defined three main periods to focus on.
*ROYALTY*
~REVOLUTION~
-#NAPOLEON#-
Paul Rosenberg is giving a talk on these important aspects of French Culture, using these pieces as illustrations.
For all who are unable to see the actual display, we have compiled the pieces on this page for you to enjoy.
The following pieces were included in the ‘Festival Français’ display, ‘The Heights’ Geelong October 28-29, 2023.
Royalty
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French creamware plate, Mademoiselle D’Artois print, c. 1825$235.00 AUD -
Louis XVI giltwood ‘fauteuil a la Reine’ with chinoiserie silk upholstry, c.1780$4,950.00 AUD -
French ormolu candlestick, faun playing pipes, c. 1765$1,950.00 AUD -
Sevres small cup & saucer, roses en camaieu, 1758-9$950.00 AUD -
French Faience chocolate pot, Sceaux, c.1770$2,450.00 AUD -
French faience watch stand, patriotic tricolour, fleur-de-lis, and cannon, c. 1820$880.00 AUD -
Pierre Augustin Thomire (Paris 1724 – Béraut 1808): Lady with child & dog, signed & dated 1783$0.00 AUD -
French Faience cup & saucer, Verve Perin, C. 1760$1,250.00 AUD -
Mennecy unglazed porcelain classical covered urn, c.1765$3,600.00 AUD
Revolution!
Napoleon
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French Empire porcelain part teaset, cornflower & gilt butterflies, c. 1810$295.00 AUD -
Ebony framed profile portrait of Napoleon, copper on silver backing, early 19th c.$1,250.00 AUD -
Pair of French bronze classical figures, Mars & Athena, one signed Blanpain, c. 1780Sold -
Paris porcelain plate, painted in the Neoclassical taste, Nast C 1805$980.00 AUD -
Paris porcelain plate, painted in the Neoclassical taste, Nast C 1805$980.00 AUD -
Paris porcelain plate, painted in the Neoclassical taste, Nast C 1805Sold -
Paris porcelain plate, painted in the Neoclassical taste, Nast C 1805Sold -
French ‘Verre Églomisé’ snuff box, gold cherubs, c. 1800$780.00 AUD -
French faience plate, Gallic rooster with giant jug, Nevers c. 1780$580.00 AUD -
Paris Porcelain Empire teapot, circa 1800$580.00 AUD -
Continental Porcelain coffee can with classical dec, serpent handle, c. 1830$195.00 AUD -
Les Islettes (France) faience plate, Napoleonic eagle, c.1810$980.00 AUD
Aubusson Display
These fabulous tapestries are an unused suite fro the late 19th century, never attached to furniture, or installed on the walls. There’s even an unused floor ‘rug’ – the colours still fresh, having been packed away in a chest since being brought to Australia over 100 years ago!
Le Brocante de Moorabool
Below you will find the various pieces of French origin we had on display for the weekend in the ‘Dovecot Brocante’.
