This authentic "paysan" rural piece of furniture, from around the foothills of Velay, is a testimony of the spirit of friendly mutual assistance among neighbours who went to one another's homes to do the "énoisage" all together during the late evening "velhada", sometimes improvising friendly little dances to the sound of clogs, "cabrettes" and accordions.

Larch wood table for cracking walnuts (énoisage) – 19th century – Haute-Loire – [MP051]

19ᵗʰ century, Auvergne, Country furniture, Country style table, Farmhouse table, Haute-Loire, Kitchen furniture, Popular art furniture, Table, The treasure corner, Wood species

A thick larch plateau from the foothill forests of Velay and, on each corner, kinds of amazing little hollows…Here we have a genuine “énoisage” table, perfectly designed to wedge the walnuts when snapping them with  the mallet called “tricote”, to prevent the nuts from rolling to the other end of the table.

It is believed to have the power to chase away demons, and that's why Pope Leo IV chose it in the 9th century to reign on the steeples of our churches. Very rare, this all-copper church steeple rooster has descended for a while, ready to come protect your home.

Church Steeple Rooster in Copper – 19th Century – Languedoc-Roussillon – [MP050]

19ᵗʰ century, Copper, Country furniture, Metal, Objects bearing history, Popular art furniture, Sculpture, The treasure corner

Discover the extraordinary power attributed to the church steeple rooster – a demon-chaser chosen by Pope Leo IV in the 9th century to grace our church steeples. A truly rare find, this all-copper rooster has descended briefly, ready to safeguard your home.

This oil barrel comes from the renowned pottery center of La Chapelle-des-Pots, located in the former province of Charentes, known as Saintonge. Exclusively in Saintonge, from the Middle Ages onward, these barrel-shaped potteries were crafted using the beautiful local clay, reserving walnut oil for the lighting of each household.

Glazed Terracotta Oil Barrel – 19th Century – Saintonge – [PA080]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Aquitaine, France, Occitanie, Oil barrel, Provincial art, South West of France, Terracotta, The treasure corner

This walnut oil barrel originates from the famous La Chapelle-des-Pots pottery center in the ancient province of Charentes, known as Saintonge. Exclusively crafted in Saintonge from the Middle Ages onward, these barrel-shaped potteries reserved walnut oil for household lighting, using the beautiful local clay.

This countryside "bureau" has all the distinctive features of those used in th XIXth century to collect the "octroi" when goods arrived in towns on market day. Its rustic solid oak structure rests upon a H-shaped stand off. It has a large drawer one could keep receipts and money.

Oak countryside table-desk – 19ᵗʰ century – Sarlat district in Périgord Noir – [MP053]

19ᵗʰ century, Aquitaine, France, Oak, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, Small furniture, The treasure corner, Wood species

This countryside “bureau” has all the distinctive features of those used in th XIXth century to collect the “octroi” when goods arrived in towns on market day. Its rustic solid oak structure rests upon a H-shaped stand off. It has a large drawer one could keep receipts and money.

Here is a pie dish that has the particularity of being cast right after a church bell, in order not to waste any of the molten metal. Therefore, it is made of the same bronze and can be considered the little sister of a bell, just a few minutes apart, though not an exact twin.

Bell Bronze Pie Dish – 19th Century – Southwest – [MP043]

19ᵗʰ century, Country furniture, France, Metal, Pie dish, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, South West of France, The treasure corner

Do pies baked in a pie dish cast from the same bronze as a church bell, on the very same day, carry the scent of holiness? You can find out by testing this exceptionally rare object, an authentic bell bronze pie dish, ready to ensure the most traditional cooking on a wood fire tripod.

Winemaker's table in oak and poplar – 19ᵗʰ century – Champagne – [MP034]

Winemaker’s table in oak and poplar – 19ᵗʰ century – Champagne – [MP034]

19ᵗʰ century, Champagne, Country furniture, Oak, Poplar, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, Small furniture, Table, Winegrower’s table

Winemaker's table in oak and poplar – 19ᵗʰ century – Champagne – [MP034] Winemaker’s table in oak and poplar – 19ᵗʰ century – Champagne The assembly of varied geometric patterns, a cross set with four triangles joined together inside the circle of the top, is highlighted thanks to the choice of nuanced wood species, namely…

Imperial oil jug – 19ᵗʰ century – Quercy – [PA072]

Imperial oil jug – 19ᵗʰ century – Quercy – [PA072]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Jug, Kitchen furniture, Oil jug, Provincial art, Quercy, Terracotta

Among the jewels of the salesroom gallery Aux-Rois-Louis, emerges this astonishing pottery which immediately evokes a beauty in an evening dress. She advances, as if towards an opera box, dressed in her sequined black evening dress and sporting on her throat her prettiest long necklace composed of pearls in the shape of flowers, of which…

Salt chest armchair – chestnut - cherry - poplar – 19th century – Quercy – [MP029]

Salt chest armchair – chestnut – cherry – poplar – 19th century – Quercy – [MP029]

19ᵗʰ century, Armchair, Castle furniture, Cherry wood, Chest armchair, Chestnut, Country furniture, fireplace accessory, Objects bearing history, Poplar, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, Quercy, Small furniture

Salt chest armchair – chestnut – cherry – poplar – 19th century – Quercy – [MP029] The salt chest armchair Patriarch’s Throne, King of Cantou If there is one thing that lords and farmers had in common from the Middle Ages until the 19th century, it was the use of the fireplace, the only means…

This cradle bears witness to a salutary change in the relationship between humans and their little babies.

Rocking cradle in cherrywood – Louis-Philippe – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [ME072]

19ᵗʰ century, Bed, Cherry wood, Cradle, Louis-Philippe, Period furniture, Small furniture, South West of France, The treasure corner

B like Bassinet, Emblem of BLM, Baby Liberation Movement If the BLM – Baby Liberation Movement – existed, the rocking cradle would be its flagship. It is indeed thanks to this small private bed that the babies were able to leave their panoply of mummy tightly wrapped in bandages and the already too crowded family…

Terracotta ham pot – 19th century – Charente – [PA067]

Terracotta Jambonnière – 19th century – Charente – [PA067]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Charentais, Jambonnière, Kitchen furniture, Terracotta

Terracotta ham pot – 19th century – Charente – [PA067] THE FLOWER BOX FOR FLOWERS THE KITCHEN STOVE FOR FOOD THE JAMBONNIERE FOR… HAMS! Let’s rediscover a made-to-measure utensil born of peasant common sense and the talent of the potters of Sainte-Eutrope. To make a success of your homemade raw ham, it’s both simple and…

Three terracotta melards – orange, green and yellow – 19th century – Puy-de-Dôme – [PA064 PA065 PA066]

Three terracotta melards – orange, green and yellow – 19th century – Puy-de-Dôme – [PA064 PA065 PA066]

“Mélard” jar, 19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Confit pots, Puy de Dôme, Terracotta, The treasure corner

PUY-DE-DÔME: LAND OF POTTERY AND VOLCANOES SINCE THE NIGHT OF TIMES It is on the ground of a thousand-year-old tradition that these three beautiful melards of varying proportions and colors were created. It should indeed be remembered that in the center of Auvergne, at the beginning of the Christian era, the black earths of the…

Two oil jugs - late 18th century early 19th century - Lot Valley, Quercy - [PA062] [PA063]

Two oil jugs – late 18th century early 19th century – Lot Valley, Quercy – [PA062] [PA063]

Antique pottery, Early 19ᵗʰ century, Kitchen furniture, Late 18ᵗʰ century, Oil jar, Oil jug, Quercy, Terracotta, The treasure corner

The Aux-Rois-Louis sales gallery offers a vast collection of ancient pottery from Aquitaine, Auvergne and Midi-Pyrénées. Two oil jugs – late 18th century early 19th century – Lot Valley, Quercy We recognize in the roundness of these jugs an exuberant and sensual inspiration specific to the ancient Quercy potters’ centers. Several clues seem to indicate…

Walnut pantry cabinet - 19th century - Provence - [MP026]

Walnut pantry cabinet – 19th century – Provence – [MP026]

19ᵗʰ century, Country furniture, Kitchen cabinet, Kitchen furniture, Popular art furniture, Provence, Provincial art, The treasure corner, Walnut, Wardrobe

Walnut pantry cabinet – 19th century – Provence Called in its region of origin the “mangeadou”, this cabinet was intended for the storage of food in its upper part, ventilated for this purpose. In the lower part you could store dishes and kitchen utensils. In the middle, two drawers received the cutlery. We recognize on…

Two water jugs – 19th century – Les Landes – [PA060] [PA061]

Two water jugs – 19th century – Les Landes – [PA060] [PA061]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Head jug, Kitchen furniture, Landes, The treasure corner, Water jug

Two water jugs – 19th century – Les Landes [PA060] Of Spanish Basque inspiration, with a washer at the top of the spout to facilitate its grip, this jug has, around the top opening, an orange-colored glazed bib. [PA061] This head jug, also from the pottery center of Castandet in the Landes, presents a glazed…

Three water jugs – 19th century – Périgord – [PA055] [PA056] [PA057]

Three water jugs – 19th century – Périgord – [PA055] [PA056] [PA057]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Kitchen furniture, Périgord, Water jug

Three water jugs – 19th century – Périgord – [PA055] [PA056] [PA057] Three water jugs – 19th century – Périgord These three water jugs were hand-turned in the 19th century by master potters from the famous Beauronne-Douzillac workshops in the heart of Périgord. They were dedicated to the use of water and wine for table…

Two oil jugs - 19ᵗʰ century - Périgord - [PA053] [PA054]

Two oil jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Périgord – [PA053] [PA054]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Oil jug, Périgord, The treasure corner

Two oil jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Périgord – [PA053] [PA054] Two oil jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Périgord Both from the famous pottery center of Beauregard-de-Terrasson, these two oil jugs have well-known distinctive signs. The first, on the left in the overall photo, presents a wine-colored glaze obtained thanks to manganese oxide, manganese being…

Lamb-shaped mold used during Easter celebrations

Lamb-shaped mold in glazed earthenware – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [PA051]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Cake mold, Kitchen furniture, Mold, South West of France

Lamb-shaped mold in glazed earthenware – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [PA051] Lamb-shaped mold used during Easter celebrations Lamb-shaped mold in glazed earthenware – 19ᵗʰ century – South West This type of zoomorphic-inspired mold was dedicated to making cookies and chocolates in the shape of a lamb for the Easter celebrations, in reference to…

The zoomorphic-inspired cover is therefore shaped like a hare.

Terrine in the shape of a hare in glazed earthenware – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [PA050]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, South West of France, Terrine, The treasure corner

Terrine in the shape of a hare in glazed earthenware – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [PA050] Also called “gîte à pâté”, this zoomorphic-inspired terrine was used both for cooking and for presenting the famous hare pâté on a well-appointed table. The originality of this glazed terrine also lies in the alternation of star…

Louis XV style country sideboard in walnut, oak and elm – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [MP020]

Louis XV style country sideboard in walnut, oak and elm – 19ᵗʰ century – South West of France – [MP020]

19ᵗʰ century, Buffet, Country furniture, Elm, Louis XV, Oak, Provincial art, Small furniture, South West of France, Walnut

Louis XV style country sideboard in walnut, oak and elm – 19ᵗʰ century – South West of France The mix of wood species, in this case walnut, oak and elm, evokes a short circuit, ecological production ahead of time. In fact, the peasants stored, in anticipation of an important family event such as a marriage…

Vaisselier dresser-drainer in cherrywood – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [MP019]

Vaisselier dresser-drainer in cherrywood – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [MP019]

19ᵗʰ century, Cherry wood, Credenzia, Dresser, Kitchen cabinet, Kitchen furniture, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, Small furniture, South West of France, The treasure corner

Vaisselier dresser-drainer in cherrywood – 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [MP019] Everything is scalloped curves in this discreet dresser which in fact fulfills two distinct missions. At the very bottom is the drainer on spaced slats while the three top shelves fulfill the function of display, the crockery being held by scalloped bars. In…

Beech butcher's block – End of 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [MP018]

Beech butcher’s block – End of 19ᵗʰ century – South West – [MP018]

Beech, Butcher’s block, Country furniture, Craft furniture, late 19ᵗʰ century, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, South West of France

Beech butcher’s block – End of 19ᵗʰ century – South West The centerpiece of butcher’s stalls in the 19ᵗʰ century, these old butcher’s block were designed to withstand the butchers’ blows, vigorous and precise. The top is for this reason made up of an assembly of end grain or cross cut wooden cubes; the wood…

Two water jugs - 19ᵗʰ century - Midi-Pyrénées [PA036] [PA037]

Two water jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Midi-Pyrénées [PA036] [PA037]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Midi-Pyrénées, The treasure corner, Water jug

Two water jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Midi-Pyrénées Carried on the heads of women who went to fetch water from the village well or fountain, these jugs are called “head jugs”. In order to make the task less painful and less perilous, these water carriers made a straw wreath wrapped in fabric which they placed…

Three water jugs - 19ᵗʰ century - Périgord

Three water jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Périgord – [PA033] [PA034] [PA035]

19ᵗʰ century, Antique pottery, Périgord, Provincial art, Terracotta, The treasure corner, Water jug

Three water jugs – 19ᵗʰ century – Périgord These three water jugs come from the pottery center of Beauronne-Douzillac, which is easily recognized by the nature of the clay used: a white clay, loaded with kaolin. Most of the production of this renowned center has a green glaze, like the pottery in the background [PA035],…

Oak wedding wardrobe – 19ᵗʰ century – Brittany - MP001

Oak wedding wardrobe – 19ᵗʰ century – Brittany – [MP001]

19ᵗʰ century, Bretagne, Country furniture, Furnitures, Oak, Popular art furniture, Provincial art, Storage chest, Wardrobe, Wedding gift storage chest, Wedding gift wardrobe, Wood species

Oak wedding wardrobe – 19ᵗʰ century – Brittany For the most part, popular art furniture was specially ordered for weddings. The families deployed considerable means so that their children’s union would be fertile, prosperous and everlasting. The symbols that were used were understood by everybody, since they were rooted in a shared religious iconography. Beside…