Curious Papers/Finds Archives

Here is a collection of objects I find at Flea markets/Vide-greniers/Brocantes that generally highlight ways of living in a bygone era.

Fleurs Sauvages, Mai Cyanotypes by Ashley

June 8, 2018 by ashleyt 6 Comments

Cyanotypes by Ashley Tinker

This is the original Fleurs Sauvages, Mai series from which 6 were sold at the exhibition.

In addition to the Alpilles Oil Paintings, I spent the spring in the studio of the NG Art Residency creating cyanotypes. This is a old photographic process where light-sensitive chemicals are exposed to the sun, therefore creating one of a kind prints. Using thick watercolour paper, I chose the wild flowers that I found in the surrounding fields in Eygalieres including wild peas, poppies, thlaspi, grasses and more as the subject. These works are incredibly detailed because a brush was used to apply the chemicals rather working with already treated paper. The result is an ethereal painterly effect. Somewhere between paintings and photography. That being said, they’re extremely tricky to photograph and it’s difficult to see the detail here.

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My Stylish French Box

May 28, 2018 by ashleyt 3 Comments

My Stylish French Box

I have been following on social media for some time My Stylish French Box and basically coveting their gorgeous boxes full of hand-picked French items. The concept, created by writer of My French Country Home Sharon Santoni (see her beautiful Instagram and stunning house here) is that every three months a box is delivered to your home full of stylish French products. Sharon’s first book, My Stylish French Girlfriends, is a beautiful reference for authentic French living. This really is a stunning book and really stands out on my bookshelf as one of the most beautiful. Sharon’s experience in publishing is evident as she clearly has access to some talented people to help her assemble this masterpiece. I would imagine that you’d be hardpressed to find Book Designers that could do a better job than the ones that Sharon enlisted to work on her book.

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The Curious Sardine that Blocked the Port of Marseille

April 7, 2018 by ashleyt 4 Comments

Do you know about the sardine that blocked the port of Marseille?

As I was perusing local postcards at a local flea market in Provence, I came across a curious image. The postcard depicts an enormous sardine blocking the port of Marseille. The seller, taking advantage of my ignorance and confused expression, insisted that this indeed did happen.

I asked Patrice, the local market fisherman, and he told me the whole story of how a tiny sardine managed to block the beautiful port of Marseille.

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Learn your ABCs in French

March 31, 2017 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

I came across this document in a pile of papers in a french flea market. It’s dated 1896. I find details like this really indicative of their time and culture. For example, the imagery of a military hat, canon, soldiers, rifle, and sword are most certainly indicative of their time. The inclusion of factory and ‘wagon,’ an English word?, point to the industrial revolution. Then again, both words are surprisingly still there in the modern chart. Can anyone think of a French word that starts with W?

I’d love to know who decides which words are chosen for these types of things. Are they chosen ‘par hazard’ or are they given much thought? It’s interesting to note that the first 2 letters in the modern French chart below use the same words. Of all the words in the world!

Do you know all of these? I must admit that I had to look a couple of them up for their exact definition. Even then, it’s tricky as many of the above images are toys.

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Flea Market Find: Vintage Mirror

March 15, 2017 by ashleyt 2 Comments

Mirror Decorated with Vintage Postcards

I couldn’t resist this lovely vintage mirror decorated with old postcards. I had promised myself to stop buying vintage postcards at French flea markets, but this could be characterized as a mirror… n’est-ce-pas?

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La Jeune Fille de XVIII Siècle Illustrations

March 6, 2017 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

La Jeune Fille de XVIII Siecle: The Young Girl from the 18th Century

I found this curious book some time ago. When you search for it on the internet, it’s prefaced with “nos petites grandes mères” or “our little grandmothers.” I love etchings and engravings (having done quite a few myself) so I when I first flipped through the pages, I marveled at the romanticized French scenes from the 18th century. As I continued on, I was reminded of how limited the women’s world was at that time. It’s the same confined spaces that reappear in all the images.

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Sunday Reading: Consider the Fork

January 18, 2017 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

Consider the Fork by Bee Wilson

While staring lovingly at my bookshelf recently, I found this in my collection. I hadn’t had the chance to read it yet.

As a complete lover of all things to do with food, I thought it would be an interesting read. It turns out, it was.

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Curious Find: The 1950’s French Lunchbox

May 9, 2016 by ashleyt 5 Comments

Trouvé: Gamelles d’Ouvrier

We’ve found these three gamelles (containers used to carry food) at various vide greniers in nearby villages. They are usually sold by older French ladies that can tell you a little of what they used to put into these boxes for their husbands to take to work. There are many names for these french lunch boxes, but they were mainly used for workers on construction sites or farmers in the late 50s and 60s.

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Vintage New Years Postcards from France

December 31, 2015 by ashleyt 3 Comments

Happy New Year from Provence!

My resolutions? Hmm. All the usual suspects really.

Here is a selection of some vintage New Years postcards in my collection. These are generally from the turn of the 20th century up until the years of WWI. The postcards aren’t simply happy holiday images; some are quite somber (despite their smiling faces) with their effort to uplift soldier’s spirits. Either way, their sometimes odd symbolism, and faded colours are a joy.

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do! A little bit of old to bring in the New Year…

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Merry Christmas from Provence!

December 24, 2015 by ashleyt 1 Comment

The cafes are full inside and out today in Provence as everyone enjoys the mild weather. The baker is furiously making fougasse/pompe à l’huile for tomorrow, the local epicerie can’t seem to keep fresh mejool dates (that melt in your mouth!) and clementines on the shelves. There are towers of foie gras beside the cashiers in the grocery stores. Just in case you somehow managed to forget to buy some for tomorrow’s meal. I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village. Just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes consisting of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fruits (fresh and candied), dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts and finally a

I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village where just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes. It consists of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fresh and candied fruits. These include dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts. The meal is completed with a pompe à l’huile or fougasse flavoured with orange blossom.

Are you in the spirit? Here are a few vintage postcards to get you in the mood…

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