Photo from Arles, France
"What is a girl to do?" she asked.
French iron day bed, andirons, shutter shelf, bracket sconces, lemonade bottles, grain sack, linens, etc. Bed covering is, you guessed it..a drop cloth!
"Should I hide my money under the mattress?"
"No," French Antique Investor replied,
"but maybe you should invest in a French Iron
Day bed to hold the mattress."
"You may also want to think about investing in
GOLD, such as French gilt mirrors,
gilded sconces, and gilt frames," advised FAI,
"just in case the value of the dollar plunges."
Glissant buffet from Provence, circa 1890
"But most people are holding off on large
purchases until they see what the economy
is going to do," she said.
"Well, maybe a wise decision for some purchases,
but in the world of antiques, when you find
something you love, if you hesitate, it may be
gone and if not, the longer you wait, the more
you will pay." FAI responded.
Louis XVI cane walnut bench, ca. 1020's "The world has always had an appreciation
for quality French antiques," responded FAI.
"Did you know the Yves Saint Laurent sale at Christie's a few weeks ago brought in the highest
total for any single-owner collection, just a
little short of a half a billion dollars."
"Les coucous, tapis bleu et rose" by
Henri-Matisse, pictured above,
sold for $41 million."
"Now granted, we aren't talking Matisse or
Yves Saint Laurent, but we are talking French."
Plaster bust sitting on Louis XVI painted nightstand, ca 1920. Gilt trumeau in background
"Take it from a girl whose been strolling
the French antique markets from Paris to
Marseille and the backroads in-between,
for the last 20 years." As long as there is
an insatiable thirst for French antiques
(and brocante), prices will continue to
rise.
Gilt tole wheat sconces, ca. 1940
"Maybe I should just park my money in a bank."
she says.
"HaHa, wonderful idea... give it to the execs so
they can gorge themselves in luxury or if you
prefer, watch your 401K plummet on paper,"
FAI tells her.
"Please FAI, tell me, what should I do?"
she said.
Gilt sconce, bronze dog, stone face fragment..You can't have my purse.
"Well my dear, I can only tell you what
my portfolio looks like." said FAI.
French Antique Investors explains her Portfolio....
"First...I have a Louis Vuitton. Don't laugh,
I'm serious! A good collection of Louis Vuitton's
will probably be worth more than some 401's
in another 10 years."
"Je prefer the monogram series, a proven track
record for appreciating in value. I also like
the Noe. It holds a lot, first created in 1932
to carry champagne bottles, it works equally
well for small antiques and brocante."
"And you've heard the expression, don't
put all your eggs in one basket."
"A girl should have a variety of pieces."
"Second...look at your investments daily."
"I surround myself with mine."
Louis XV style pickled birch serving bar
"Your investments should serve you."
French tole metal twin bed, circa 1890
"I sleep on mine."
Louis XV style fauteuil upholstered in needlepoint, original paint"Sit on mine."
Patisserie table, circa 1900 "Eat off mine... you get the idea."
Red Tole book box, ca. 1900
"Third...save your coins, in little boxes,
you'll be surprised how quick they add up."
Hand carved folkart box w/ key from Provence
"So, I have lots of little boxes."
"Last, but not least, ENJOY it!""A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do,
take her future into her own hands!"
If you would like to start your own
French Antique Investment Portfolio,
Bisou mes amis, time for me to get
to work!
