The Daum Collection, Nancy Part 2

 

I wasn’t much of a fan of art glass before coming to France. 

After visiting the Daum Collection I was converted.

This grouping of 300 examples (another 600 are in storage) in the basement of the Nancy, Musée des Beaux Arts 

Is perfectly presented and perfectly lit.

A purely visual experience.

Placards and labels are thankfully minimized. A tiny bit of background - a notary public, Jean Daum moved to Nancy and bought a glassworks factory in 1876. With the assistance of his two sons, they produced both household and artistic pieces. 

They invited artists like Jacques Gruber and Henri Bergé to create exquisite glassware that evolved into Art Nouveau styles and onward.

You are drawn into an almost a trance-like state By the colors, the shapes and the luminosity.

The perfect transition from the Daum collection is a visit to the museum’s Yayoi Kusama’s Fireflies mirrored room. Only 2 people at a time. You close the mirror door and stand on a narrow platform surrounded by water, mirrors, hanging lights and a sense of infinite space. A unique experience.

Onward to one of Nancy’s 8 Christmas marchés. With directions from the tourist office I found myself at Le Grand Village de Saint Nicolas. 

Here the lights sparkle just as bright. There are other artisan markets. 

This marché is for food and fun. 

From red steaming pots of spiced wine/vin chaud. 

Make your way to the glassy red Saint Nicolas candies at Confiserie Lefèvre-Lemoine, near the train station. 

Cross the threshold into a time machine. You are instantly 5 again. Bergamot and mirabelle. Did you get the impression the town of Nancy is a magical feast for the eyes and the tastebuds. It certainly is😊 and just an hour and a half from Paris. I hope you will visit next trip. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters 💌 maps and watercolors in your mailbox 📮 look in my Etsy shop. ❤️🎄🐻 ❤️🧣