The world of antique dealers is disappearing from the landscape, pushed out of city centers and competed by websites where objects are selling. However, the Antiqua lounge in Châtel-Guyon, in Puy-de-Dôme, is better than resisting. It is one of the largest fairs in France.
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Sunglasses for the Inuit: this is one of the curiosities offered by Gérard Lenfant, at the Antiqua Salon in Châtel-Guyon, in Puy-de-Dôme. In its windows, there are ancient and more recent objects. All tell a story. The antique dealer says: “This terracotta mouse is signed Marguerite Monnot. She made animal sculptures and was also a composer for Edith Piaf. It is the history of the object that will make it magic”.
-This year, there are 50 exhibitors from all over France, for the 44th edition of the show. Furniture, jewelry, paintings, sculptures and other rare books are gathered, for prices that only a few tens to several thousand euros. It is a commercial operation but also a celebration of heritage. Jean-Marc Dechaud, from the bookstore of ancient books in Crissay-sur-Manse (Indre-et-Loire), explains: “Here I have an old edition of Virgil, printed in Venice in 1522. Except that it is illustrated with very beautiful wooden engravings, its particularity is that it belonged to the painter Eugène Delacroix. We can always dream and think that the painter was inspired by some of his paintings”.
Video duration: 00h01mn49s
The Châtel-Guyon Antiqua Show is held until May 4. Stakeholders: Gérard Lenfant, antique dealer in Vichy / Jean-Marc Dechaud, of the bookstore of old books in Crissay-sur-Manse (Indre-et-Loire) / Claude Glausse, expert in furniture and works of art
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© e. Boulleau / P. Franco / S. Salmon
You have to pay 4,500 euros to acquire this book that belonged to Eugène Delacroix. To assess the value of goods, among professionals, there is also an expert. He is there to advise sellers and customers. He is a regular at the Châtel-Guyon show. Claude Glausse, expert in furniture and works of art, underlines: “I discover objects and people of a great culture. It’s interesting. I love to do this show because it may be one of the last fairs in France where there is really authenticity. There are really high quality people”From the high era to design, via Art Deco and Vintage, the Antiqua lounge is a time machine: 3 to 4,000 visitors are expected in Châtel-Guyon until Sunday, May 4.
Interview by Edouard Boulliau / France 3 Auvergne
