Thanks to the great advice from ite on another thread that I hijacked, I visited the Jeu de Balle flea market today in Brussels, Belgium. Held every morning in the Marolles district, most wares are simply spread out on blankets or folding tables. I got a Bitossi-esque pottery vase for 10 euros and a primitive original pastel for 15 euros. There were probably 150 vendors. I'm going back tomorrow!
Thanks ite for your suggestions. I didn't make it to half of the places you suggested today. Some of the antique and brocante stores on Rue Haute and Rue Blaesstraat were 4 stories tall and I was in those forever. It was bliss. I think I need to rent a "camion" to get home. I almost bought a giant mounted alligator skin for one of my walls in South Carolina. I might go back for that.
I was in one store that had a vintage artichoke lamp by Poul Henningson, but the guy wanted 8,000 euros. Are you kidding me?!
Here are my vase and my painting and the hotel towel that I used to clean them because they were filthy. I will probably be charged for that towel and asked to leave this hotel.
<img class="wpforo-default-image-att
I'm worried
about smearing. Do you think I should put a poly coat or something on it when I get home? I don't want it to smudge or anything. It is signed on the back from 1983. I don't have that much experience with original pastels but don't they have a shelf life of, um, glorified chalk?
The fleamarket is a very...
The fleamarket is a very exciting place. When we were living in Brussels we used to go there every day. You'll understand how we ended up with a collection of thousands of pieces!
We live at about 1 hour in the south of Brussels now. If you have the time to come by and say hello, we would be happy to have you for lunch or dinner or for just for a drink. If you can't do it this time, we'll see you next time when you come back with a truck 🙂 In any case, have a lovely time in Belgium!
There is a spray fixative for...
There is a spray fixative for pastels available at art supply stores, so you would want to get a can of that. It should not affect the colors, etc. Pastels are also typical mounted under glass, but are still typically sprayed with fixative beforehand. If the pastel was done on an acid free paper (although it appears yours is on canvas, which is just as good), it should last for centuries, as many have.
http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classId=1513&subclassID=1...
This pastel
is not matted and it is on canvas and it is not under glass. So, I just spray the fixative directly on the canvas? I will buy some tomorrow and spray it before I put it in my suitcase on Thursday.
Patrick and Alix, I will definitely come and see you when I bring up a truck. This city is a 1940's mecca. I just love the look of the industrial/art deco age metamorphosing into modern and everything here is blowing me away.
BTW, Barry, I finally got my copy of the George Nelson book at the Vitra store here in English. It was 90 euros which is much cheaper than they are selling it on Amazon in America. If anyone else wants me to pick up a copy, they had about 5 or 6 of them. I am going back to America for two weeks in August and I could sent it to you from there to save on shipping.
If I knew how to say "have a great evening" in Flemish, I would, but I don't, so, Cheers. Riki
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