antique discoveries

Who is Paul Sormani?

Paul Sormani…probably one of the most celebrated cabinet makers in France who wasn’t even French. In fact, Paul Sormani was Italian.

Paul Sormani (1817 – 1877) was a preeminent 19th Century Italian cabinetmaker (ébéniste) of the Lombard-Venetian origin.

Sormani moved to Paris and established his workshop there in 1847 and soon began producing high quality items of standard and ‘fantasy’ furniture, which he described as meubles de luxe (‘luxury furniture’). He specialised in reproducing Louis XV and XVI style pieces, which proved immensely popular with discerning European aristocracy. The Empress Eugenie, for example, who was wife of Emperor Napoleon III, chose to decorate her palaces with Sormani’s beautiful furniture.

 

Empress Eugenie, Wife of Napoleon III

Sormani frequently exhibited his impressive creations and was awarded prizes at all the major international exhibitions of the 1860s and 1870s. Notably, at the Parisian Exposition Universelle in 1867, judges described Sormani’s work as revealing “a quality of execution of the first order”.

On the Champs des Mars, stood the 1867 Exposition featuring all the latest technology of the era. Even the new ‘elevator’ was on display

 

A superior Paul Sormani Commode with Rouge de Rance marble and a coromandel Japanned front.

A superior writing desk by Paul Sormani, early 20th Century.

Once in a while, I discover hidden gems by dealers in France who don’t go the extra mile to find out exactly what they have. In the case of the small lady’s writing desk, (which I bought outside of Paris) the dealer had no desire to unlock the desk. He simply stated there’s no key and sold it to me accordingly.

Our Paul Sormani ladies writing desk C.1880’s.

Our little desk may not have all the gilt and glamor of some of Sormani’s pieces, but it isn’t priced accordingly either. If you’d like to have this lovely piece of cabinetmaking history, please contact the store.

Mark

 

 

The Chocolate Wizard from Paris.

Im here in Paris for Easter and all the chocolate and pastry stores are laden with magnificent Easter creations for the Holiday.

 

 

Chocolate Eggs by the famous Pierre Herme, Paris.

It’s been said that pastry making requires a real talent and supercedes all of the culinary arts. Try recreating some of the fabulous French pastries you drool over in the windows of Parisian patisseries, and you’ll know what I mean.

Recently on one of my trips abroad the name Aumary Guichon popped up in conversation. Someone quickly searched him out on their iPad  and I was spellbound on what I saw. For the next 6 minutes or so I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.

 

 

 

This stunning 19th Century Napoleon III table and antique gramophone is entirely made of chocolate. Every detail!

 

 

The young talent himself

One of the most influential talents of the international pastry scene, growing up in France but with an entirely planetary influence, the young Amaury Guichon looks for surprise and originality in his work. The quality and technical perfection of his desserts and pieces have earned him the acclaim of hundreds of thousands of followers in social networks. In his career he has earned the title of Best Apprentice in France, in addition to leading pastry shops as famous as Victor et Hugo (Paris), Lenotre (Cannes), and Jean Philippe Patisserie (Las Vegas). Currently, he is active as a private consultant.

Awards

2010 – One of the best apprentices in the Paris Region (MOF)
2012 – Lenotre School of Cannes
2013 – Head of product R & D Victor et Hugo (Paris)
2013-2017 – Jean Philippe Patisserie (Las Vegas)
2019 – Book ‘The Art of Flavor’

Guichon now resides in Las Vegas. They must be paying him a fortune for him to stand spending more than 48 hrs in that dreadful place. Anyway below are just a few of his magnificent creations.

I would have liked to post his magnificent creation called the Atlas Titan where Atlas is carrying the world on his back. Better yet search his out on You Tube and watch some of his many posted videos. They’re worth the watch.

Happy Easter.

Mark in Paris.

The Color ‘Blue’

I’ve always loved the color blue. It can be formal or very relaxed depending on the shade. But the color applies to one of my all time favorite foods. The ‘blueberry’. Chocked full of flavor and those ever so important ‘antioxidants’ it’s worth having blueberries almost every day of the year.

You may think it odd that I’m writing about blueberries. But I discovered something quite wonderful this week that I felt I just had to share with all of you.

This year, like most years, we travel up to the Shuswap and stay my great friend Brian who has a wonderful place on the lake near Blind Bay. He was buzzing about this super place he loves called ‘Onninks Farm’. When he mentioned all they farmed was blueberries my interest suddenly peaked.

Brian suggested we stop in on our way back from the Shuswap. And that’s exactly what we did!

When we arrived at the farm the first thing I loved was the blue fence surrounding the property! The drive up to the sorting house was like discovering something special that we’d only see in Europe. We were greeted by the proprietor below (who’s from Rotterdam) who proceeded to tell us how her blueberries were washed, sorted, ( by an amazing computerized sorting and cleaning maching you can see right there ) and then packaged in boxes that were freezer ready.

 

antique discoveries

The charming owner ‘Arina’ of Onninks Farm. (Everything was spotlessly clean and new) She also told us she loved our store and had purchased many things in the past.

The boxes are only $26/box for all these organic pre-washed blueberries!

antique discoveries

The ‘Birgit’ Berry is one of her best and in season now. Large, plump and very sweet!

They also sell these fabulous blueberry bonbons. ( I bought a small box and they are delicious!)

 

antique discoveries

These delightful little creations are boxed in the cutest little boxes that are so pretty they could be given as gifts.

Sadly I discovered their ‘blueberry tea’ after I left. I will definitely be ordering bottles of this!
No added sugars, no preservative and chocked full of antioxidants!)

 

antique discoveries

Blueberry Iced Tea!

So if you’re a blueberry lover as I am, it’s worth the trip to Abbotsford just to take advantage of these wonderful berries. Click on this link to see the Onnink’s Blueberry website for more information.

Enjoy the rest of our fabulous summer in beautiful British Columbia no matter where you are!

P.S. our antiques 25th Anniversary Sale is ending soon….if you haven’t stopped by do it soon before it’s too late!

Cheers,
Mark