Bonjour from a sunny and very warm SW France,

We had a fabulous morning  hunting for tresors and I ended up doing better than French Boyfriend, who was rather impressed with my finds. Let's just say he is a good teacher having been an Antiques dealer for most of his life.

My first find was a fabulous and Rare Antique Buste of Marianne which dates back to 1873 and was made by Theodore Doriot who was a famous French sculptor in the 1800's. His creations of Marianne are sought after and this one bears his signature.

For those of you that do not know a lot about Marianne, she is a national symbol of the French Republic, a personification of liberty and reason, and she was used as the model for the Statue of Liberty. Marianne is displayed in many places in France and holds a place of honour in town halls and law courts. She symbolizes the Triumph of the Republic, a bronze sculpture overlooking the Place de la Nation in Paris, and is represented with another Parisian statue in the Place de la République. Her profile stands out on the official government logo of the country, is engraved on French euro coins and appears on French postage stamps; it was also featured on the former franc currency. Marianne is one of the most prominent symbols of the French Republic, and is officially used on most government documents. Marianne is a significant republican symbol. As a national icon she represents opposition to monarchy and the championship of freedom and democracy...