Ever wonder whether it's a Rococo or Régence? Louis XV or Louis Philippe? A Bergère or Fauteuil? Each week, we will highlight a word, term, or phrase to help identify antique furniture, periods, and styles.

CHARCUTERIE

char·cu·te·rie [shahr-koo-tuh-ree, shahr-koo-tuh-ree; French shar-kytuh-ree]
noun, plural char·cu·te·ries [shahr-koo-tuh-reez, shahr-koo-tuh-reez; French shar-kytuh-ree]
1. cooked, processed, or cured cold meats and meat products, originally and typically pork products, as sausages, pâtés, hams, etc.
2. a store where these products are sold.
Origin: 1855–60; <French; Middle French chaircuterie, equivalent to chaircut(ier) charcutier + -erie-ery

Food is at the heart of French culture. And at the center of the heart these days is charcuterie — charcuterie boards in particular. A culinary art developed from necessity, the modern form definition of charcuterie involves dressing a board, usually wood, with cured meats, cheeses, and accoutrements. Derived from the French words cuit meaning cooked and chair meaning flesh, the term charcuterie was coined in 15th century France when pigs were raised by virtually every household. Before its modern definition, charcuterie was used to describe pork products (including the pig’s internal organs) sold in charcuterie shops that were salted, smoked, and dried, much like the methods used to preserve meat in Ancient Rome thousands of years before.

Charcuterie Sibilia, Les Halles de Lyon

During the 15th century, France had very strict laws that didn't allow the mixing of raw and cooked products. The first Charcutiers Guild was formed in France at that time, preventing charcuterie shops from selling uncooked pork — so the charcutiers cooked, dried, salted, smoked, and cured everything from rillettes to pâtés, saucisson, bacon, trotters (pig’s feet), and head cheese. They would then hang or display the cured meats in their shop windows to attract customers. Villagers frequented their local charcuterie shops to purchase the cured meats that would supplement their supply of fresh food throughout the year. The ingenious ways charcutiers preserved meat helped to ensure the meats would have longer shelf lives, and their popularity grew as they established stylized plates of "cooked flesh" as a part of the cuisine française culture. Cheeses, breads, fruits and veggies, nuts, olives, pickles, and jams were added over time, shaping the charcuterie board as we know it today

Charcuterie boards have become an essential at casual (and even formal) parties or apéro dinatoires, not only in France but all over, especially since there’s no cooking involved! From ingredients to serving techniques, a bit of effort is required to attain the effortless je ne sais quoi that only an authentically French charcuterie board has. Think of the meats and cheeses as the main dishes and the accoutrements as the accents — and follow these 5 tips to master a charcuterie board any French person would j’adore.

1. When building your charcuterie board, wood boards are a must. The French consider marble boards to be too lavish and too trendy. Wood boards are easier to use, easier to wash, and you don’t have to worry about scratching them with a knife. We always use antique breadboards or cutting boards.
2. If you want to make your board truly French, be sure to include saucisson, a dry, thick, cured French sausage. Other French meats include pâté, a meat in the form of a paste — some are smooth and spreadable, some are firm and sliceable, jambon, a cured ham, and rillets, chunky meat spreads also known as potted meat… and no, not the Hormel brand! Laurent always adds prosciutto, coppa, and salami, and says it’s okay to include other meats even if they aren’t from France. The meats do need to be presliced before serving and the thinner the better — except for saucisson, which should be sliced about one sixteenth of an inch.
3. Authentic French cheeses include tangy, tart Chèvres, rich, buttery Bries, sharp, pungent blues, and fruity, spicy Comtés. You don’t have to stick to just French cheeses either. It’s perfectly fine to add a Parmesan or manchego if that’s what you like, and Laurent does… so we add those also. Just be sure to use four different kinds and let them come to room temp before serving.
4. Use as many seasonal (and local) products on your board as you can. For summer this year, we’ll fill in with tomatoes, melons, figs, and cucumbers. For fall, we'll add eggplants, artichokes, radishes, and pumpkins. We add pickled and preserved items like cornichons and olives to balance out the creaminess of the cheese. Nuts (and popcorns, though not considered French) are great fillers and are crunchy as well as salty. And we always add sweets. Honey, jams, dried fruits, and macarons provide a sweetness that balances out the saltiness of the meats. And who doesn’t love an excuse to serve macarons?
5. Bread is essential! A presliced, crusty French baguette is always best, but other presliced breads like sourdough or homemade banana bread are good choices. Laurent doesn’t like crackers, but I do. So we use artisan crackers even though they’re not considered French.

And don't forget the wine! A charcuterie board is not complete without the wine pairings. You'll want to serve wines that compliment the flavors of the meats and cheeses without overpowering them. An oaky Chardonnay balances the spice of sopressata. Add a creamy French Brie and voila! You'll have a winning trifecta. Pinot Noir is a perfect choice for saucisson. Light wines like a dry Reisling or Muscato partner well with light hams like prosciutto, and if seafood is on your board, a Merlot or Pinot Grigio will blend perfectly with the salty flavors of smoked salmon, shrimp, and lobster.

1. Large 18th Century Rustic Country French Cutting Board or Chopping Block with Well / Item #LO3193A / Lolo French Antiques et More
2. Early 20th Century French Country Guillotine Style Bread Cutter with Board / Item #LO3192 / Lolo French Antiques et More
3. Country French Style Breadboards / Item #LFA223 / Lolo French Antiques et More

Father's Day is coming up this weekend, so why not surprise Dad with a beautiful charcuterie board filled with all his favorites? Instead of serving him breakfast in bed, indulge him with a breakfast charcuterie board filled with bacon, sausage, ham, baguettes, cheese, waffles and pancakes. Add in fruits, jams, butter, and granola as accoutrements. It might not be "authentically" French, but the process of building the board will be fun and easy — and the time spent with dear old Dad will be truly special!

Bon Appétit!

Bastille Day, formally la Fête Nationale or the National Celebration, is a French national holiday that celebrates the anniversary and symbolic victory of the storming of the Bastille, a grand medieval fortress turned state political prison, on July 14, 1789. Much like America’s Independence Day, le quatorze juillet or le 14 juillet (as it’s commonly referred to in France since they don’t use the term "Bastille Day”), is a holiday filled with cheerful revelry... it is France, after all... and celebrations of French culture and national pride.

Built in the 1300s, the Bastille Sainte Antoine, as it was formally known, was originally designed to protect the city of Paris in case of an attack by the English during the Hundred Years’ War. The 100-foot-high fortress, surrounded by an 80-foot-wide moat, went through many changes over the years. It began functioning as a prison in 1417 while continuing to function as a royal castle and home to the royal treasure. It was during the reign of Louis XIII that the role of the Bastille saw its greatest changes. Louis XIII (with the help of Cardinal de Richelieu) was the first to use the Bastille as a state prison... for wealthy, upper class felons... many of whom were activists. These upper class prisoners were able to have gourmet meals, visitors, warm baths, specialist doctors, books (and libraries built for them if necessary), their own furniture, and even their own servants! Pretty impressive privileges for a prisoner! Louis XIV continued this practice of housing wealthy convicts, especially those accused of spying on or embezzling from the state. He was also fond of imprisoning those that opposed or simply irritated him, like French Protestants with religious views that differed from his. Under the reign of Louis XV, there began a decline in the number of prisoners sentenced to the Bastille, and the majority of those imprisoned under Louis XVI were social misfits instead of upper class members of French society. The Marquis de Sade, the writer and philosopher Voltaire, Nicolas Fouquet, and the "Man in the Iron Mask" were among the most famous inmates of the Bastille during the reigns of the Fab Four Kings.

La prise de la Bastille, Jean-Pierre Houël, 1788

Liberty Leading the People, Eugène Delacroix, 1830, Louvre, Paris, France

By the late 18th century, the French people, discontent with King Louis XVI’s abuse of royal power, were desperately poor and suffering from the hardships of famine (caused by two decades of poor harvests), drought, cattle disease, and soaring bread prices. Fighting for liberté, fraternité, and égalité, an armed mob of about 1000 Parisians expressed their desperation and resentment toward the tyrannical Bourbon monarchy by rioting and storming the Bastille to steal weapons and ammunition, as well as free the seven French citizens (four forgers, two crazy twits, and a count convicted of sex crimes) that were imprisoned in the notorious royal prison — supposedly for speaking out against the powerful monarchy? Hmmm... That historic bloody encounter marked the start of the French Revolution and the end of the Ancien Régime — and also led to the beheading of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The demolition of the Bastille began almost immediately and by November of the same year there was hardly anything remaining. Individual stones were taken away as souvenirs with a good bit of stones used in the construction of the Pont de la Concorde bridge across the River Seine. 

Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Élysées, Paris,  Jérémy Barande, July 14, 2010

Today, Bastille Day is celebrated all over France, not just in Paris. A patriotic day filled with plenty of pomp and circumstance, traditions include feasts with friends and family, music, dancing, fireworks, and the signature event — the grand military parade that marches down the Champs Élysées with Air Force jets flying overhead. A tradition that dates back to 1880, the parade is the oldest and largest military parade in the world and is led by the President of France. It starts at the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde.

It's summertime! Wedding season is back in full swing once again, and getting married in France is a dream of many couples. I’m in the midst of helping plan my son Cole’s wedding to his beautiful fiancée, Marissa. It's in November, and though the wedding won’t be held in France, both the wedding and reception are being held at our store, Lolo French Antiques. Since wedding fêtes in France are not taken lightly, we’re hoping theirs will be filled with both Southern and French traditions that they’ll cherish forever! If you're dreaming of a French wedding but can’t actually tie the knot in France, this series of posts on the customs and traditions of French weddings (before, during, and after the "I do’s" are said) will give you a few ideas to add a little (or a LOT of) French flair and joie de vivre to your own nuptials. Let’s start with the trousseau and armoire de mariage.

The tradition of bridal trousseaux originated in France hundreds of years ago. The word trousseau comes from the French word trousse, which literally means a bundle of linens and clothing. Lingerie, opulent embroidered sheets, treasured textiles, and even jewelry were just a few of the pieces a young French mademoiselle would have made or collected as part of her bridal trousseau.

When fourteen-year-old Catherine de Medici arrived in Marseilles, France in 1533 to marry into the French royal family, her uncle, Pope Clement VII, spared no expense on the many trunks of lace, linens, bed hangings, gowns, undergarments, silk, and high heeled shoes designed in Milan to make her look taller and sexier (gasp!) that were part of her bridal trousseau. It’s said her sparkling gowns were embroidered with three pounds of gold and two pounds of silver, her sheets made of the finest silk. Her lingerie, which was considered as luxurious as her wedding gown, was made from the most delicate laces, gold, and silver cloth. The dazzling earrings, fabulous bejeweled rings, necklaces, and golden belts that she added to the French Crown jewel collection were beyond compare. And the gorgeous high heeled shoes that she brought with her became such a status symbol that “commoners” were banned from wearing them — and the phrase “well-heeled” was born! Poor Catherine was not a stunning beauty, however. So Clement enlisted Isabella d’Este, an Italian fashion trend setter, to help Catherine impress the French with her amazing trousseau… one befitting her new status. She may have been considered an Italian commoner at the time of her marriage to Henri II, but Catherine’s bridal trousseau, which included over 150 garments (and those shoes), was nothing less than spectacular!

The Wedding of Catherine de Medici and Henri, Duke of Orléans, Jacopo Chimenti da Empoli 

Most young girls didn’t marry royalty, but being sent off in style was of such importance that a wedding would often be canceled if the trousseau was incomplete. Trousseaux were even more expensive than the wedding itself at times! The family heirlooms and handmade linens that a bride-to-be was expected to bring to her new home were often an indication of her family’s wealth and status, meaning the greater and finer the trousseau, the higher the bride's status. Typical trousseaux included twelve pieces of each: napkins, tablecloths, dishtowels, bed sheets, nightgowns, and petticoats — all hand sewn and hand embroidered with the bride's married initials. Since wealthier families often had live-in seamstresses that would do most of the sewing (instead of the bride and her relatives), well-to-do brides might bring hundreds of pieces of linens with them — as well as linens for the servants. And custom dresses and gowns sewn by dressmakers in Paris of course. Oh là là!

According to our good friend Toma Clark Haines, the Antiques Diva, “the preparation for a young bride’s trousseau once began at birth and often before. Years before her betrothal, the future bride amassed enough linens for her bedding and tables to sustain her family throughout their lifetime.” It only makes sense then that preparations for the armoire de mariage or wedding armoire that would store this carefully curated collection throughout a girl’s lifetime also began at birth. Neatly folded antique linens, ruffles of delicate lace, family heirlooms, and countless napkins and table cloths that were once part of treasured trousseaux can still be found stored in elaborately carved marriage armoires in master bedrooms across rural regions of France today. And you can be sure they’re stacked from the bottom, not the top, to ensure strict rotation.

Early 19th Century French Country Louis XV Style Bleached Oak Normandy Wedding Armoire / Item #LO3150 / Lolo French Antiques et More

Similar to hope chests, the beautiful French armoires de mariage are much larger and hand carved with motifs of wealth and prosperity that represent good wishes for the newlywed couple. Intricate carvings include lovebirds evoking love, baskets of flowers representing fertility, pairs of nesting doves symbolizing the “nest,” sheaves of wheat and grape vines describing abundance and domestic prosperity, and musical instruments and sheet music as an allegory for harmony.

Traditions vary, but it is said that in parts of Normandy it was common for a father to cut down a large tree when a daughter was born and use planks from the tree to make the armoire de mariage once the daughter was engaged. In other parts of France it was common for a father to make a wedding armoire when a daughter was born and give it to her during adolescence. As the girl grew up, she would fill it with items from her trousseau and take it with her to her new home after she was wed. By the 18th century, wedding armoires were made by talented craftsmen and given to the bride and groom as a gift from the bride’s parents. In Brittany, it was customary before a wedding for the marriage armoire and the bride’s trousseau to be carried to her new home in a brightly decorated cart drawn by a pair of oxen draped in flowers. The bride's mother would fill the armoire with the trousseau once it arrived and the father of the bride would then throw open the doors in a dramatic fashion to the “oohs and ahs” of all the guests. Afterwards, the priest would bless both the marriage armoire and the marriage bed before the two families sat down to dinner together.

Why not consider giving your favorite bride and groom some lovely home spun, home sewn, and home embroidered antique French linens that were part of some young girl’s trousseau many, many years ago? Nothing feels and smells like good linen that has been freshly laundered. And even if you don’t have an armoire de mariage, try storing your favorite linens in an antique French armoire. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes. It’s a perfect blend of French charm and modern storage. Everything looks nicer and you’ll find yourself using your linens more. After all, they’re meant to be used every day! And if you’re lucky enough to have an armoire de mariage, take some time to really look at the carvings and see what all you can discover. You’ll be surprised... and find that a whole lot of love went into these armoires!

À Bientôt!

'Tis the season for gifting, and here at Lolo French Antiques, we love helping bring the magic of Christmas to your home! Our dreamy 2022 Holiday Gift Guide is sure to fill you with l'esprit de Noël when you imagine the sparkling eyes and oohs and ahhs of your loved ones as they find something French and fabulous under the tree on Christmas morning. Lolo's jolly elves have gathered a selection of unique and interesting gifts to suit every person on your list, so come along with us on a festive quest for the perfect gifts that are sure to bring magical moments!  

1.​ 19th Century French Louis Philippe Style White Painted Four-Drawer Commode 2. 19th Century French Spelter Table Lamp Stags Under Tree with Shade 3. ​Fine Mid-20th Century Maison Jansen French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Bureau Plat or Desk 4. 18th Century French Louis XVI Period Cherry Lyonnaise Enfilade Buffet 5. ​Jeannie Luxe Crystal Table Lamp 6. Large 19th Century French Louis Philippe Style Giltwood Mirror with Crest 7. Jeannie Luxe Crystal Table Lamp 8. Italian Sunburst Mirror with 19th Century Painted and Giltwood Fragments 9. 1920s Porte-Jambon or Ham Holder on Marble Base 10. Aux Anysetiers du Roy Herbes de Provence in Stone Crock 11. ​Maxim's de Paris Fondant Chocolate Scented Votive Candle 12. ​19th Century Antique French Hand Blown Glass Garden Cloche 13. Vintage 4-Piece French Stainless Steel and Deer Hoof Carving Set 14. ​Rare Small 19th Century French Pot de Confit or Confit Pot with Green Glaze and No Handles 15. ​Grand 18th Century French Directoire Period Walnut Draper's Table with Marquetry Band 16. ​Mid-19th Century Antique French Cruche Orjol or Water Jug with Rare Green Glaze 17. Rare 19th Century French Confit Pot or Egg Pot with Lid and White Ironstone Glaze 18. 19th Century French Terracotta Tian Bowl with Honey Yellow Glaze 19. ​19th Century Spanish Backless Leather and Velvet Louis XIV Style Bench 20. ​Antique French English Setter Hunting Dog Five Piece Fireplace Tool Set 21. ​Large Antique 19th Century Spanish Semi-Glazed Terracotta Olive Jar with Green Drips 22. ​19th Century Large Open Sided French Boulangerie Willow Baguette Basket 23. 19th Century French Painted Trestle Dining Table 24. Grand 19th Century French Handblown Dark Green Glass Demijohn or Dame Jeanne Bottle 25. ​Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Longcase Clock with Eight-Day Movement 26. ​Collection of 9 Early 20th Century Italian Herbiers from Florence, Italy Set in Large 9 Paned White Window Frame 27. ​19th Century French Empire Period Walnut and Bookmatched Flaming Walnut Commode with Marble Top

This Christmas, indulge the queen (or king) of la maison with an 18th century French Directoire period draper's table or snowy white painted Louis Philippe commode. Surprise your favorite home baker with a hard to find open-sided 19th century French boulangerie baguette basket. Go all out for the garden lover with an antique French bell shaped garden cloche or Spanish olive jar. Stuff some stockings with a decadent chocolat scented votive candle by Maxim's de Paris. Spice up the kitchens of your besties with a crock of herbes de Provence. Help him stay organized with an exceptional black lacquered Maison Jansen Louis XVI desk. And make it crystal clear to the one who lights up your life with a timeless lamp — or two. From large and luxe to small and sentimental, our holiday picks for 2022 will wow and delight!

Joyeux Noël!

Ever wonder whether it's a Rococo or Régence? Louis XV or Louis Philippe? A Bergère or Fauteuil? Each week, we will highlight a word, term, or phrase to help identify antique furniture, periods, and styles.

ACANTHUS

a-can -hus [uh-kan-th uh s]

noun |uh-kan-thuh s]

1. Plants. any shrub or herbaceous plant of the genus Acanthus, native to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated as ornamental plants, having large spiny leaves and spikes of white or purplish flowers.

2. Architecture. a design patterned after the leaves of one of these plants, used especially on the capitals of Corinthian columns.

Origin: 1610-20; New Latin, Latin < Greek kanthos bear's-foot

 
Drawing after Giocondo Albertolli, Corinthian Capital, 1798

Considered the most iconic decorative design inspired by nature, the acanthus leaf motif can be found on everything from Corinthian capitals to French friezes. A stylized version (with simplified lines and graceful curves) of a common Mediterranean plant that has spiky, glossy green leaves similar in appearance to poppy, parsley, and thistle leaves, the acanthus leaf has been used in architecture, interior design, furniture, and textiles for centuries. 

Colorful massed display of Acanthus mollis leaves

The Greeks use of the acanthus leaf as a decorative architectural element dates back as early as 500 BC, when lavishly carved acanthus leaves (based on the popular anthemion design in Greek architecture) began appearing on the beautiful capitals of slender and elegant, fluted Corinthian columns. These first carved acanthus leaves, with their sharp points, deeply carved corners, and sharp ridges between the lobes, were clustered together so that their clear shadow lines could easily be seen from a distance. A symbol of eternal life and rebirth, acanthus leaves were perfect for decorating temples and monuments to the gods. Famous examples include the Temple of Zeus in Athens and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae in Arcadia, the oldest known use of acanthus in architecture.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the best examples of acanthus leaf use in the Corinthian order 

Once the Romans began using acanthus leaves in architectural design, the popular motif soon became a featured symbol in a wider range of decorative ornamentation, including capitals, dentils, friezes, and other decorated parts of both Corinthian and Composite order columns. This Roman period produced a leaf that had a more natural feel, with the tip often curling and twisting in a more realistic way that reflected the Roman's love of beauty and art. Other countries and cultures continued following suit, but there's rarely a time that the acanthus leaf wasn't a significant part of Italian ornamental design.

France was not to be outdone, though. By Medieval times and into the Renaissance, the acanthus leaf became a prominent motif used in everything from architecture to artwork and textiles to tapestries, not to mention sculptures, manuscripts, and carved furniture. Becoming particularly popular in the court appointments and furnishings of France's Fab Four — Louis XIII, XIV, XV, and XVI — the ornamental feature found in all four king's styles differed only in the details of the curls and swirls. Ébénistes and menuisiers all over France incorporated the acanthus leaf into their furniture designs, featuring the lovely leaf on the stiles of chairs, the knees of legs, corners of frames, and everything in between!

Antique French Louis XVI Style Parcel Gilt and White Painted Dining Side Chairs, Set of 6 / Item #LOP547 / Lolo French Antiques et More

Fine 19th Century French Louis XV Rococo Style Giltwood Wall Console with Marble Top / Item #LOP909 / Lolo French Antiques et More

19th Century Carved French Louis XVI Style Oval Shaped Giltwood Mirror with Beveled Glass / Item #LOP520 / Lolo French Antiques et More

19th Century French Hand Carved Walnut Black Forest Jardiniére or Planter / Item #LOPA15 / Lolo French Antiques et More

Centuries later, the acanthus leaf is as popular as ever, constantly transforming into new and exciting shapes. Those serrated lobes pop up on products and interiors such as shoes, wallpaper, lighting, handbags, votives, vintage jewelry, planters, and wood bowls to name a few. No wonder it's a symbol of eternal life! The acanthus design never goes out of style!​

À Bientôt