Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Les Guirlandes


Marie-Antoinette guirlande, 5.5" x 7.5
I learned a new word this Paris trip - Les Guirlandes 

Une guirlande is the same thing as a garland.

Les Guirlande du oiseaux 5.5" x 7.5
When I showed Micha, my growing collection of decorative ornaments from visits to multi-chateaux, she responded, "Les guirlandes!" I had an "Ah ha!" moment.

A floral garland at musee Nissim de Camondo.

And another.

Draping this ornate clock golden garlands.

As well as this teapot.
Usually cupids or putti are supporting floral garlands.

More.

Sculptural putti adorned with flowers.

 Over many doorways throughout Paris - les guirlandes.


On the walls of the Grand Singerie at chateau de Chantilly.

Why this new obsession with Rococo ornaments, putti and garlands? Because I have reached the hypothetical assumption, if you are surrounded by elaborate design wherever you look, inside or out this has to effect what you create?

There is a long tradition in France of elaborate food and patisserie. But as I learned last night at a lecture by Florence de Dampierre, this is related to cultural changes brought about by the Sun King, Louis XIV.

 Drooling over these divine desserts and think for a moment on their origins and why they spring solely from fantastic pastry artists of France. They most definitely are artistes.
BONNE DROOLING!

17 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:37 AM

    Utter lushness today!
    I'm drooling over EVERYTHING!!!
    YUM YUM

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  2. Anonymous9:38 AM

    One is led to deduce that this must be so.
    Bien sur these elaborate desserts spring from the table of Louis XIV!
    Where else?

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  3. Anonymous9:55 AM

    Dear Carol,
    Soo gorgeous!!I loved the garlands and Versailles--it is so spectacular--the cakes too--
    Have a great week.
    Melanie

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  4. CAKE!!!!! And Garlands. Nous sommes ici. And I like it....and origins...I can't wait . ;-)

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  5. Love how you zero in on certain subjects and how they all flow through out Paris. I love Garlands with the flowers and bows. We see things, but do we REALLY SEE things. You got the three great P's here.. pastries, paintings, & Post. :))

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  6. Yep. Just absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to head over to Main Street for a look this week. We need this stuff. ;-)

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  7. Anonymous11:12 AM

    just wanted to tell you that your little breakfasts always cheer up my day.
    thanks so much.

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  8. Anonymous11:46 AM

    Hey--I share your passion for the guirlande and putti. Have you seen the new books about Versailles? I just ordered them even though I meant to ask for them for Christmas.

    Versailles: A Biography of a Palace
    by Tony Spawforth

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  9. Anonymous2:18 PM

    Beautiful!!
    I don't know if you meant to do it, but the cup looks like it is in focus and the dish is a bit blurry in the background.

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  10. Your Etsy links are going to Blogger ????

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  11. Anonymous2:20 PM

    Lovely china, lovely sketches!

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  12. Carol, Carol, how can you continually torture us this way? My tongue is falling out of my mouth, and I'm not wearing a bib large enough to catch the drooooool......

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  13. Oh la la! I wish we could scratch and sniff sometimes. So pretty and so delicate.

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  14. these are very beautiful : )

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  15. Anonymous8:01 PM

    I just KNEW it- blame it all on Louis XIV! He's been a troublemaker from day one. Seriously, I can't wait to hear just what it was that he did!
    PS The rabbit is not upside down. Fold along the dotted lines and the rabbit turns right side up on the flap of the seed packet. Seriously.

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  16. It is always a treat for me to stop by and be reminded of my unforgetable
    trip to Paris..Laduree.mmmmm..and the teapot..I adore it!

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  17. Carol!! Wonderful guirlandes!!! Great job on these!

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