Discovering the French Riviera: A Soirée at Avonlea Antiques

Discovering the French Riviera: A Soirée at Avonlea Antiques

Last weekend, our antique mall transformed into a little slice of the French Riviera, thanks to a delightful event hosted by our talented dealer #444, Jess of Jesabel Home. Fresh from her travels in France, the “French Riviera Soirée” was not just a shopping experience; it was an intimate celebration of culture, history, and community that left attendees with memories to cherish.

A Unique Experience

What made this soirée feel truly special was the personal connection between the Jess and her customers. As she shared captivating stories behind each carefully curated piece—from vintage jewelry to charming home décor—the atmosphere was filled with warmth. Every element of the soirée was designed to engage the senses. The air was fragrant with bundles of lavender, Jess curated a Spotify playlist of some of her French favorites, and guests enjoyed sipping rosé and savoring French appetizers like macarons, croissants, and petit fours. The ambiance created by Jess was a charming fusion of an intimate gathering and a French marché. In case you missed it, we asked Jess to highlight three of her favorite pieces and the stories behind them on our blog.

1976 Original Etching by French artist Bernard Sens Olive

“When I got this piece home and translated ‘Burin Epreuve d’Artiste,’ I learned this particular piece was a chisel artist proof, which is quite rare to have as a signed artist proof.”

I had the honor of sourcing from Olive’s Estate portfolio at the market in Antibes. I first purchased two of his framed pieces, then the dealer told me if I came back in two days, he’d bring Olive’s full portfolio for me to choose from. He turned around and pointed above a fish market and said, ‘That’s where Bernard used to live.’ The dealer said Olive passed away a couple of years ago and that he had the honor of clearing out Olive’s estate afterward. Olive’s wife was still there at the time. He shared a beautiful story about how amazing their artist space was, as Olive’s wife did gold foil architecture repair and had a large piece of a local church’s ceiling across their massive table for repair when he visited for the art. When I got this piece home and translated ‘Burin Epreuve d’Artiste,’ I learned this particular piece was a chisel artist proof, which is quite rare to have as a signed artist proof.

 

Vintage “Femme Nue” ring

“It literally wears like a piece of art.”

This vintage ‘femme nue’ ring sold at the soirée to a frequent client of mine, but it was one of the most special and unique finds of the trip. I sourced her at the market in Cannes, and later, after researching, I realized it was by Spanish sculptor Camilo Otero. Extremely heavy and beautifully detailed, it literally wears like a piece of art.

 

 

 

Art Deco Murano Pendant

“I found her at a secret secondhand market I stumbled upon in Cannes.”

The detail in this piece is so divine—the leaf glass sides with the center lotus. I found her at a secret secondhand market I stumbled upon in Cannes. We were wandering on back roads after visiting the hilltop.

 

 

An Invitation to Future Events

For those who couldn’t join us for this magical afternoon, consider this a heartfelt recap of a truly memorable occasion. At Avonlea Antiques, we’re both dedicated and honored to be hosting special events like this.

Keep an eye on our upcoming events! We have more exciting gatherings planned that promise to give the patrons of our store experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Join us as we continue to transform into a vibrant community hub, where every visit is an adventure waiting to be discovered. There’s more to us than you think!

Merci beaucoup, Jess, for hosting this wonderful soirée, and a special thank you to everyone who attended.