1942 ‘Time Capsule’
Apartment Discovered In Paris
Have you seen this?
This story is absolutely amazing (but sad,
too). It involves a deserted apartment in Paris
The story goes like this: Once upon a time in 1942, a young
Parisian woman fearing Nazi persecution fled to Southern France, leaving behind
a lavish apartment in Paris
It seems that the owner of the apartment
died three years ago at the age of 91, which is when the owner’s executor sent
a team to investigate the apartment she left behind. They found a
wonderfully-preserved and sumptuous Parisian apartment filled with beautiful
antiques and artwork.
Within this apartment, one piece stood out
from the rest of the artistic and historic relics – 19th-century Italian
painter Giovanni Boldini’s portrait of his muse, Marthe de Florian
(the grandmother of the owner). In the painting, this famous Parisian socialite
and actress is depicted wearing a beautiful and revealing pink dress. The
painting was painted in 1888, when de Florian was just 24 years old. It is by
the love notes and letters between de Florian and Boldini found at the
apartment that the woman in the painting has been identified. The painting
itself has been valued at roughly $3.4 million. Breathtaking...
It was during World War II that the owner initially fled her
opulent abode in an effort to escape the Nazi raid. Never to return to her
home, which is now deemed a Parisian "Time Capsule" apartment, the
luxurious woman's heirs decided to make an inventory of her apartment when they
discovered its preserved interior and the many treasures inside. The apartment,
which proved to be as rich with possessions as it is with secrets, is currently
closed off to the public, though some speculate that may change.<Fingers
Crossed>
I so enjoy just sitting and studying these photos that we have
been honored to have shared with us (just these few so far): Imagine spending a
Parisian evening in the 1940's with the young socialite and her companions
right here in this gorgeous room. Do you think she might have been a collector…
maybe paintings, porcelain figurines, jewelry, silver service? Of course, it is
most likely that she used the silver pieces as everyday service. Imagine the
sights seen through those beautiful large leaded glass windows. Look at the
craftsmanship on the woodwork in the ceiling, on the legs and back of the
chairs (especially the one being used as an easel for that landscape painting).
Look at the multitude of legs underneath the main table (what lies under that
tablecloth?) And don’t even get me started on the fireplace… I think I get
heart palpitations every time I just glance at the mantle. Look at those ornate
sconces (and matching chandelier) on each side of the large mirror above the
mantle… imagine the glow that illuminated throughout the room every evening
when those amazing pieces of glass art were lit. Wish I could get a better look
at that sculpture (hidden behind the chandelier in this shot) legs crossed,
standing on the mantle…. And those two
cabinets (one on each side of the room)... chocked full of goodies!
Let’s start at the top of this photo and work our way down, shall
we… if I can stay conscience: I believe this is most likely a shot of her
bedroom (close up of the first shot in the post), what do you think? Look at
the gorgeous crown molding… just look at the corners of it. (There’s a closer
look at one of those sconces that match those above the other fireplace!) Look
at the wallpaper - quality and texture - Silk, of course… but look how luxurious
and thick! (see the thickness on the piece as it's peeling off the wall - there
might even be layers of other wall coverings underneath, oh my) Don’t you wish
you could just take a little peak out that window? Look at the beautiful detail
in the needlepoint upholstery on the backs and seats of those two chairs… and
an amazingly thick music book –
really? Swoooon… Looks like
there might be a whole pile of music books right there behind that chair,
leaning against the upholstered fire screen. I wonder what published year we
would find on them? And a marble fireplace… Imagine a roaring fire there and we
had nothing else to do but just curl up with a lovely book (and maybe a really
beautiful crystal flute filled with exquisite French wine, hhmmmmmm)… Look at
those two large vases on the mantle – bet they are in perfect condition. (I think know I could find a place for
that rug in my house – wonder what size it is?)
This photo is, of
course, the other side of that same room. You can see the reflection of the
peeling wallpaper in that breathtaking mirror. Seriously, imagine a young
Parisian beauty standing in front of it, deep in thought, robed in an amazing
gown dripping in jewels… and there, on the top of that mirror, more of those
gorgeous lights… wow! Oh and look… books, upon books, upon books, upon books –
piled on the rolling cart, on the floor; against the dressing table in the
background... wonder what she read to occupy her time? Look at the portrait
propped in the burned out velvet upholstered chair, perfect. Wonder who the
subject is – maybe someone she knew? Can anyone figure out exactly what the
tall black metal looking thing is that is reflected in the mirror? (you can see
just a bit of it in the previous photo too) Looks like it has a audio horn on
it - maybe a record player of some sort?
Ok, try this photo on your own: I am just going to let you look…
study… think… and enjoy, let your imagination go wild. Afterall, that is the
best part of peaking into this unbelievable apartment. Please, take in all the
details (remember Design is… All
in the Detail) let your mind absorb it all. I promise you will be
transported back to Paris
Here is the final photo (darn it): Once again, just take your time
looking at it, enjoy the details. If you look hard enough, I bet you can even
stir up the musty smell of the ostrich and stuffed animals. All of this
opulence and there, in the middle of it all, is Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse –
now remember, she was a young Parisian woman who feared the Nazis (...but I
guess she loved Mickey Mouse).
If anyone knows the original source of
these photos and information, please let me know. I want to first, give credit
where credit is due and second, read the original information of the amazing
find! Thank you.
