Gifts and Collectibles #4of8

We drove along the south lake shore, then onto a ferryboat to cross Lake Constance (Bodensee) to the delightful town of Meersburg, Germany. There we bought a “food warmer” thing. The top of this food warmer gadget is about 6” in diameter and the lower level has a place for a candle to supply heat.

Not far from Perigueux, France, we stopped at an antique market that filled a building and the area nearby. When Emmy had a problem negotiating for a couple of copper and brass items, some people standing nearby, helped. One brass device is 13” in diameter, and 7” high. A “lid” fits down inside an inch or two from the top, and there is an “island” in the middle of the lid to place the small brass hot water kettle. It appears that cookies, or other snacks can be kept warm around that “island.” The idea seems to be that burning charcoal in the bottom will keep both the water kettle and the snacks, warm. The other item is a heavy copper pot, 9 1/2 inches by 11 inches. It is oval at the top, with a bulge near the bottom. At each end are wide handles. The lid has a 4 inch high curved handle.

The people who helped with the negotiations are from Scotland, and had refurbished a nearby French farmhouse as their summer home. They invited us to spend the night in our RV in their driveway. An excellent campsite.

The most famous Paris, France, flea market has been located near the Porte de Montreuil, for over 100 years. One year we bought a clock (in a ten-inch-high wooden case) that the seller said was over 100 years old. Instead of a simple bell or chime, the alarm is a music box that plays such a pretty little tune we don’t care how old the clock really is. Everyone “recognizes” this tune, but no one, including a professional musician from France, can think of the name. Emmy had an elderly friend who had the exact same clock, except it played a different tune. It had belonged to her very elderly Aunt, many years earlier, so the “over 100 years” is easy to believe. An antique appraiser confirmed our clock is in fact well over 100 years old.

Near Cortina, Italy, we stopped at a very large brass and copper store. The items for sale overflowed the store, and filled the parking lot. We bought three little candlestick holders, plus a larger one that is about 8 inches high. The large candlestick was converted into a desk lamp.