Astier de Villatte

 Last Thursday I showed you Melodies Graphics. 

This Thursday a visit to another Parisian fantasy shop, Astier de Villatte on rue 173 Saint-Honoré

Astier is mainly unique chinaware & small pricey novelties.

I once found an irresistible swan pencil sharpener for 5€…Lord knows where it disappeared to in my messy studio? 

The ground floor is full of irresistible items, if you don’t mind breaking the bank. 

It was crowded & busy with browsers, so taking photos was easy. 

Always a selection of John Derian, NYC unusual printed plates to tempt you.

I know there are some PBers…

Who pick up one piece of Astier’s signature white china on every trip to Paris. Raise your hands 👋 PBers.

I, myself covet their red, blue & white cube-patterned cups🤔 The little penguin 🐧 was très charmant also ❤️ 

Here’s a 3-minute DIY video how you can cube-pattern your walls at home, should you be so inclined.

Near the cash register there is always a pug or French bulldog 

And hovering patiently nearby, a real pug.

In November, you go up the winding, rickety staircase 

To view their vast array of Christmas tree ornaments. 

I try to visit every year at least by December. 

This year I got there mid-December. 

There was still plenty to choose from…

Some pieces look vintage. European Santas are not necessarily rotund or dressed in red. Somehow I didn’t fall victim to temptation. I escaped empty-handed.

Previous posts on Astier:

Astier 2022.

Astier 2020.

Astier 2014. 

Speaking of swans 🦢 that weekend I saw a bevy of 11 swans gathered along the banks of the Seine. 

When I returned later they were behaving quite sociably. They can be cranky…

I sat down to sketch ✏️ I’ve never seen so many gathered together. Such beauties 

Not so easy to draw as Rene Gruau.

🦢 Have a Bonne Thursday dear PBers 🦢

Don’t forget to Send a gift 🎁 letter or watercolor from Paris 💌

☕️ Or buy me a KO-FI ☕️ 

🧸 X X X 🐻