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Competitive work participants Natalia on " Antiques as a lifestyle "

future of the Past

In the words of an American scholar and writer Mason Cooley : " As a young man - love and art , and in adulthood - investments and antiques " In my opinion , it is the right approach , all the time , in fact , be a real antique dealer is not easy, you have to pass a long way from becoming beginner who has just started to show interest in antiques, trying to determine what style or era it is close and clear to the person who anxiously and with great love and attention given to this noble and aristocratic art of almost all the time. To understand what all of these people live very simple - just look at the crowd that gathers every two years in Paris in the Grand Palace of Fine Arts at the Grand Palais Biennale of Antiquaries in 1956 . Antique dealers , gallery owners , collectors and art dealers with anticipation and excitement of waiting for the door to open and you can see firsthand the great examples of the art of yesteryear. Or take any antique market , such as the one that takes place in Brussels at the cozy square Gran Sablon every weekend , or visit the bustling and cheerful antique fair in Nice (see Fig. 1) , which takes place every Monday in the square Charles Felix, willow see those who live and "breathes" antiques.

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All these people get pleasure from what surrounds them , whether it's perfectly weightless Chinese vases Meiji or aristocratic French- bronze mantel clock early 19th century. It is not necessary to be a culture expert , a historian or art critic , requires only love for antiques , and of course , you need to have such a thing as intuition . And then the world of antiques will open its doors to you . All of the " collectors " are well aware that collecting antiques , it is not only exciting and noble pursuit , but also a very profitable investment opportunity . Many aspire to furnish his apartment with antiques or make a gift to a business partner or colleague , in any case , looking at antiques, people will see not only the beautiful things of antiquity, but also indicators of financial success . Antiques every year becomes only more valuable , and with the right approach , informed decisions can enjoy the unique collection of the rarest things in a few years, only to rise in price in the market. In the antique world there is a pronounced fashion , but , according to the English-language site AntiquesDiva, back in 2012 leading positions in sales took a French neoclassical furniture that went faster all the auctions , then went on carnival glass, which virtually ceased released back in 1930 years and again gaining popularity , and the third place was occupied by the Chinese Qing Ming dynasty porcelain , delicate bowls and vases (by the way , one of the most expensive in the world) . The market situation is changing all the time , but the furniture is still in first place, with a large number of types , styles and artistic influences , trade antiques unlikely to reduce their positions. There are a great many different people who can not imagine life without the antiques and collectibles that have a real "nose " and the commercial vein for interesting things to take, for example, the famous Belgian antique dealer Axel Vervorda , who inherited the commercial spirit of father and delicate taste mother , was able to create an unrivaled atmosphere around the noble comfort and respectability and gain fame as the most influential antiquarian . (see Fig. 2). Depending on what he puts on his stand on the famous fair TEFAF, can be seen on the new trends in the world of art and antiques. That only is his castle under the XVI century Antwerp. Decorating it in its sole discretion , it creates a powerful glow of old , but at the same time, he tends to minimalism and emptiness. An unusual combination , right? The wooden floor , which for several centuries , fireplace , chair, XVI century Japanese screen and a lot of voids in this whole Vervord .

 Or another example : the family Kremer, gallery owners "Kraemer & Cie", hereditary antique dealers for six generations , they have helped bring back many lost during the French Revolution stuff in the assembly of Versailles. Such people should feel part of the story. They can not imagine a life without antiques and as if dissolved in it. Both professional antique dealers , collectors and just give life to old things , breathe them in the air is filled with a new sense of space , time, without giving any chance to absorb the great legacy of our ancestors .

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Competitive work of Irina member on " Antiques as a lifestyle "

familiarity

- Jack ! Take it easy ! - I snapped at my dog ​​barking at a stranger sitting on a huge rock that looked like a bum .
- Do not Jack ! Get back! What did he do wrong ? - But the dog , teeth bared and menacing ruffled fur, continued to growl menacingly , the stranger , trying to banish it from my rock on which I usually sit when he was walking her in the morning. Realizing that he was at all costs decided to expel him from my favorite place I went to him. Jack stubbornly , standing between me and him , still , growling , ready to attack.
To drive away the dog , I leaned against a huge pine tree growing nearby. A man was sitting with his head down . The huge head of hair gray hair caught my attention. He appeared to be nearly eighty years old .
Old worn clothes and shoes caused trampled on my soul a storm of compassion. Hand she reached into her purse , looking a trifle.
A man , apparently realizing my intention , grinning up at me a sharp look , my hand froze in the air, not knowing what to do next.
- I know you. - He said quietly . - You write a book. Read it.
I nodded .
- Write about my life is incomprehensible . - He asked shyly .
- What for?
- It's not me, it's another, for the edification .
- In the edification ? - I was surprised .
- That's right. To not waste life in vain, and do not catch on any nonsense . Today, when I already have one foot in the grave , I understand that, by its stupidity lost too much. I do not argue with anyone , I'm just voicing my personal point of view. But I still can not figure out what exactly is motivated me , illness or passion?
- What are you ? - Continues to amaze me.
- If you allow me , I will invite you to his house and there quietly in his home, I 'll tell you all about myself .
From this unexpected invitation I hesitated . Sensing my confusion , the old man smiled .
- Do not worry, I will not bite , as your dog . If this is confusing , and I invite him. I live very close from here . Lada ?
Intrigued by his invitation , I nodded his head.
[SPOILER] Jack seeing that I was quietly talking to a stranger , too, decided on his own way, to meet him. First he sniffed at his shoes, then his pants and quietly sat down opposite , stared hard into his eyes . From its clear and almost - almost mocking glance , the man shivered .
- Oh! Damn ! - Lowering his eyes with emotion , he said . - I have never in my life seen such dog eyes as if he pierced me through and through !
- And so it is. He is. - I said quietly .
Jack came to me very young puppy . As no surprise , then, too, I hit it straight, do not look a dog and a wet , cold , pink nose. Looking at this proud golden retriever , I decided that I had just such a dog and needed . Jack , a long time trying to take over me up, but in the end , he was tired of fighting with me , and he humbled himself , becoming obedient , and loyal friend .
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When we got to his body , I was seized with a kind of excitement . The fact is that I seem to have become guess who is my companion . We went up to the third floor . Taking a look at the sign , I smiled . And so it is. It was the apartment of the famous painter restorer.
Despite the fact that for many years we lived near there, we never had to deal with him face to face. Thanking the case for such an expensive gift, I anxiously stepped into his unusual apartment. I 've heard a lot about the man - the legend. I remember back in my youth, I was like that at the exhibition of his paintings, which have not made much of an impression on me . But as I say , then I was too young to be able to experience some subtleties of his skill. Once by accident and I was at an exhibition of his antiques. However, there were rumors . That she was not his main collection. Together with them and others exhibited . So , frankly, do not really even remember what I then surveyed the eyes of their young . I was not alone , but with a group of students. Having escaped with a lecture , then we happened to be on the famous exhibition with the sole purpose to kill a break in a small diner .
Already in the hallway , I felt a smell of antiquity characteristic of all of the museum world. The entire apartment was completely packed with stuff. He pointed me to head to the gilded couch made ​​of Karelian birch mid-nineteenth century , before which stood a small, elegant coffee table in the Baroque style, with gold-plated legs and a black marble top . Afraid to step on a piece, I carefully on a short leash has got Jack into the room and ordered him to sit down at my feet.
- If you had told me who you are, I 'd like to leave Jack's house. - Said , I'm looking around admiringly .
- What for? Let them. It does not hurt us . Especially , I love dogs. Let me , first brew tea , and then we will talk with you , - he said , heading for the kitchen.
Put the kettle on , he went into another room. He soon appeared , carrying a tray with two cups and tea and sugar bowl . There also were three small wooden spoon. This set with delicate painted was so amazing that I felt sorry for him.
- Can not what? - I asked quietly .
- We must ... - a little he replied sharply . - I have myself never used it . But on this occasion , I think it's worth . Let's try a taste of antiquity. It is a wooden Chinese tea set early twentieth century. Since he had never been drunk . We 'll be the first .
Soon the kitchen fun whistling kettle.
- Well , that's Kettle arrived in time . I have a good tea from China itself - he said , and went down with a tray in the kitchen.
Soon , as if by magic , on the table , along with tea, appeared , antique vase with fruit. Sweets in a silver frame , mirror tortnitsa with cakes , sweets, liqueur set the beginning of the twentieth , and napkins .
Sitting comfortably in a chair opposite , he began his extraordinary narrative.
- I often ask myself , when will I have everything - there was still a passion for collecting ? And then I remember one incident from my childhood. In the famine years of war , I remember traded its full breakfast, the women's hand on what - that porcelain figurines . And I think that this was my first antique trophy. I often pulled it out of my hiding place and admired her . I really wanted to see who could own this elegant hand ?
- And know?
- Yes.
- This was the German figurine " Ballerina ", painted in Wallendorf in 1930. Apparently, what that officer before the war had introduced her from Germany.
Naturally finished school , I went to art academy. So I was able to combine his talent with his passion. While studying at the academy, I was noticed by a famous artist , but let's not names. He , too, was an avid collector of antiques. Knowing that his family squander it, after his death, he left me his entire collection . Relatives had not prevented , and completely lost after he left me all his wealth. And time was different. People day and night built communism and the desire for antiques is regarded as a relic of the past and philistinism .
I worked hard , and often play tricks on the country , looking for unique items . They can be purchased very cheaply. Then there was such a boom in the olden days. They are almost worthless. Many simply thrown in the trash old worn things that were easily treated. I can say for 1200 rubles acquired two unique French bedroom mid-eighteenth century. The hosts , so tired of it zadripanny pretend that they podhihikivaya not hesitate to sell it to me for nothing. Now they are red 000tysyach price 40 dollars.
Fortunately, the money I've always had a lot. What was I then not do it. I'm perfectly the Restoration business, a lot of drawing , doing yuvelirkoy , ceramics and many other things.
- And as a family plan ? - I asked , remembering that his wife had left with her ​​young son . It was so unexpected for all of us. What we are all worried about him , not knowing what else should a woman with a husband ?
- Did not save ... - with the pain in his voice, he said . - She was a beautiful woman , but I'm always up for it did not have enough time , I was completely absorbed in his passion for art and antiquities . And she wanted a simple female happiness . She's tired of my things that I carried into the house. She hated antiques . She said she was hard. They put pressure on her. She wanted to create a cozy apartment , but that she naturally did not work .
First she blows away the dust from my stuff , but then when they grew larger and larger, it began to irritate her , and finally she could not stand , she left home . This was the reason for our divorce . Of course, I did not realize it then , and believed that this , what - that woman's whim on her part. I resented that she did not want to understand me , my husband. I'm very fond of her , and asked to return, but she gave me a very strict conditions .
- Either she or things . - I answered him .
- Yes, it was. In their youth, I chose things . I was sure that she senses and come back to me . But soon , she got married. I experienced a very long separation from her. He was ready to forgive her ... Oh well ! - A heavy sigh , he continued. - This part of the story . I do not like to talk about it .
Having freedom , I am fully immersed himself in its affairs in an attempt to numb the pain of his loneliness . Suitcase mood I ever drove on the road. After accumulating a certain number of things , I eagerly set about their restoration. I really liked the work . At such moments, I felt completely his connection with the master having produced this exhibit . I do not know if it was my imagination , but clearly felt in those moments , I'm in my studio are not alone and that someone is unmistakably leads my hand. It is an indescribable state , probably, and can be called creative ecstasy. Imagine that in your hands pretty shabby thing that has lost all its appeal , it is unpleasant to watch and only a true connoisseur of antiquities can see its former excellence . Now imagine how it gradually transforms into your hands, and that the next moment you are admiring it. This feeling can not be put into words . It must feel .
I have often heard the old antique things can be grateful and give one to know about it .
I thought it was an expression of allegory So, how did not understand what could be hiding beneath the words.
But once into the house , I heard a strange rustling and thought it was a mouse under what - what sheburshitsya . Alarmed, this circumstance , I put in the apartment as much as two mousetraps , but not tried, and could not catch , no one mouse . One of the night rustling again repeated. And I clearly heard someone's conversation in a foreign language .
- And you were not afraid ?
- Naturally scared. I proshiblo cold sweat. I went for a week as a dejected , asking myself the same question, what the heck was that ?
- Oh, and ?
Once again , when I wiped the dust off of things , I saw the two boxes in which there were dolls, were shifted at an angle of thirty degrees to each other .
- Maybe it's just your imagination?
- Oh, no ! The boxes were lying on the material in black. below them
or she could not form dust.
- I know. Hence, the angle was not dust ?
- Yes.
- And could not someone move the box?
- Deleted . I at that time no one showed his collection . At least three months.
- Unbelievable!
- This case is not over . I watched the dolls. Two weeks everything was quiet. I already began to question their assumptions , as one of the night , I heard in the room , something fell on the floor. Taking a flashlight , I went there. Switching on the light , I saw that the two were lying on the floor under the lid of the box.
- Oh, the horror ! - I cried . - Already crawl ran .
- Yes ! Now imagine my situation ? All night I did not sleep a wink . I was shaking from time to time . And in the morning , I ran headlong to his friend, the seller of antique shops. I have jokingly called him a pretty decent store . At the meeting, I blurted it all in one breath. But he was not surprised.
- It happens. - He said quietly .
- What? - I was surprised .
- Nothing in particular. If it's so confusing to you, bring their dolls here , I'm selling them alive . Especially because I already have a customer .
- What?
- You're not the first , nor the last , who tells these stories . - He said quietly .
- What do you know about that?
- It happens. Nothing more.
- Afraid to go through another such night, I promised him that tomorrow is sure to bring him those dolls , and let him do with it what he wants. And he went to sleep in another workshop.
I had been hanging around there for a week. And when he finally decided to return to the house , I was amazed. The door of my apartment was broken into. Apparently thieves have seriously decided to host it on . On the floor lay two huge empty Turkish bags, there were lying on the couch , then the two whose cap and jacket . After seeing the apartment, I realized that they did not take anything . But why? What caused them to run away ? Neighbors may have prevented , but they know nothing , just shrugged their shoulders in surprise . Have they gone , so, just ? Nothing was seized ? I looked around at the sides, looking for a clue , but it lay in place, exactly as I left . And then I noticed that one box , which was the end of the nineteenth coffee service , lay not, as usual, more than that, she was in such a position that could easily slip off at any moment and break . Adjusted the set, I caught turned his head to the side, where there were boxes with puppets . Still got it! They were not lying , they sat with his eyes open , looking at the shelf. And then it hit me .
- It's you, you protect my house! My collection ! - I exclaimed happily .
I do not know what happened to me at the moment , but my fear, where - then disappeared. I grabbed them up in his arms and began to embrace . If someone is at this moment he saw me , then just thought I was crazy . You're probably tired of lying ? And we decided to sit ! Really? Well, well , sit . And so you are never bored , I have seated here tak.Sazhaya them side by side in the same box , I kept saying .
Since then, in my house ever become miracles happen , but they do not frighten me .
- You can still talk about miracles.
- Yes, of course. For example , I can tell an interesting story about the mirrors . I put them against each other. And why did I do that ? To make it easier for them to communicate with each other.
- Are you serious ?
- Absolutely . This is a very old mirror. Remember what I told you that I once woke up from someone's vote. This was repeated once more , after the unfortunate event. Waking up, I was not scared . I wondered where all these voices still come ? After listening , I realized that they talk to each other . I quietly decided to spy on what is going on there ? And he was rewarded.
Floor mirror early nineteenth century spoke with mirror dressing table , late nineteenth . But I clearly saw in them two figures , a man and a woman. They have nothing - sometimes peacefully talked.
- And what ? - Intrigued , I cried .
- I do not know . The conversation was conducted in a foreign language . They often talk to each other .
- And it's the same silhouettes ?
- Yes , there is . Come and others.
- It's amazing . - I said quietly . - I remember : " Mirror, mirror , tell me ... "
- I also remembered it . Apparently, everything has a place to be. If someone before me said that these things happen , I would not have believed it, but now that I have experienced it in their own skin ... Do you believe me ? - Interrupting the thread of the narrative , he asked me a question , looking straight into my eyes .
- Of course . That's what I 'll answer , you're not the first , nor the last , who are faced with this sort of thing . That's just another it is very difficult to explain. Or maybe not. I perfectly understand you . Because herself faced with something like that. And then what ?
- For example , I can tell you about an icon, the Iberian Mother of God . She is my patron .
- And my .
- So , you and I were born on the same day ? Surprising? I never would have thought of that. This is a very old icon . I have long tried to define an icon painter , but he could not. Now, she always accompanies me on all my trips. Sometimes even the world wears away and I know it's for the good. That's how we live , and I unidentified phenomena .
- And why you told me that you have an incomprehensible life? If everything started over again , how would you behave ?
- I do not know . Probably would not have a collector. I would live a simple life with his human family, his wife and son . Can also traveled the globe. Approximately like this. By the way , I have it now, in America. And I'm here all alone . I am very pleased with your presence and understanding. I am very grateful for this day.
- That I am grateful to you. You tossed me a terrific story . As soon as I get home , right on through the night zasyadu the computer . Can you show me your collection?
- Yes, of course. Come on . - Getting up , he said .
I have stayed for two hours he captured the original exhibits. Before I left , he suddenly packed Chinese wooden service and gave me as a gift. I was very embarrassed , did not want to take it , but he insisted, and I had no choice but to accept an expensive offering. Passing between the mirrors , Jack, suddenly howled mournfully and arrow flew out of the apartment.
We came home only in the evening . At the threshold we waited for my mom alarmed .
- Do not be called ? I phoned all our friends .
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