Marrying styles from the 17th to the 20th, embracing la Haute Epoque, contemplating an allegorical portrait leaning on a 17th century Swiss money changer's table and storing her stoles in an 18th century Venetian chest of drawers ... Such is the sensitivity of Laurence Piron Discover, beyond a history, a real artistic proposal ...
Tell us about your background
As a merchant's daughter I was, in a way, born into this profession; I can even say that I have been walking the alleys of Paul Bert Serpette since my youth, my father having bought the booth that I occupy today in 1959.
Like many antique dealers at the time, he presented furniture and objects from the 18th and 19th centuries, mainly from the Napoleon III period. Teenager, I accompanied him as soon as possible on his shopping trips in the provinces. On Saturday, I also spent the day at the booth with him. Later, I ran the booth alone on Sunday and when my parents went on vacation. What good memories ... Today this booth has become mine, but before, I started with a completely different path
It should be remembered that 30 years ago this profession was predominantly male. As a good student, I started by generalist studies, in business school. Fifteen years have followed in various marketing departments in the media then as a free lance, while continuing to come to the flea markets as often as possible. My freelance status also allowed me to go to Drouot as I wanted and to go hunting in the provinces. Aspiring to always more of freedom, the economic crises of the 2000s and my love for charm, the aesthetics of the old got the better of me… It's been almost 15 years since I took up the torch, on my own. When the opportunity presented itself, I bought the booth 126, next to 124 bis in order to be able to exhibit larger, more decorative pieces that I wanted to highlight.
What do you present on your booth ?
If I wanted to poetize the thing, I would say that I present “my sensitivity”, objects on which my eye stops, that I recognize as authentic, whether they are from the XVIIth century or from the 1970s. I need to be touched by the charm or the history of a piece, I often offer what I could install at home. With a Venetian piece of furniture from the 18th century, I see Venice, objects have this power to make us travel… Very paradoxically, my booth is at the same time heterogeneous by the diversity of the pieces which compose it and homogeneous by the sensitivity which guides my choices. I try to create a place of charm, warm which does not however want to be too serious ...
You will thus find furniture on my booth that is more decorative than useful. I therefore do not present the comfortable sofa, although a 17th bench could be, but rather the occasional chair, the center table, mirrors, paintings and sculptures… Objects that deserve a space to be viewed. Without speaking of the favorite period, I have a soft spot for the high period up to the 18th century through French, Italian, Spanish or southern america work. Beyond the charm of objects from this period, their decorative value blends perfectly with design furniture, and I also try to suggest this mix. This touch of history allows people to create a personalized interior, atypical, which comes out of a too linear decor.
And what does the profession of antique dealer inspire you?
Bathed in the world of merchants since childhood, I grew up with the idea that this profession is a symbol of freedom, love of beautiful things and deep respect for the history of each object. Very quickly, I understood that it was more of a way of life than of a job. My eye was then formed over the years, thanks to my father in particular, who explained to me the provenance of the furniture, their history, their manufacture and the aesthetic characteristics of each era. Scouring the auction rooms, the documentation and of course the sharing of knowledge with my colleagues from Paul Bert Serpette were also of great help…
What does Paul Bert Serpette represent for you?
Paul Bert Serpette is a magical place, an allegory of dreams as much by its geographical configuration as its concentration of varied goods. The market concentrates a panel of personalities as strong as they are interesting to meet, an indisputable human wealth! The competition for value which reigns in the alleys is necessary for the customers but also for us, merchants. It allows us to stimulate us in our quest for the atypical, rare, precious object ... I was born here and stay outside me. appeared vital in order to be able to contemplate the sky, "outside, it's freedom, life"
Tell us about your last favorite purchase
I was able to acquire, with a merchant friend, a very rustic confessional, from the 18th century, made of fir, from a chapel in the Alps. It was enthroned in a house in Provence and remains in very good condition despite the past centuries. It is an intriguing and charming object in which, once seated, one feels, in fact, invited to confession, or at least to confide in this small grid. So much must have been said about this confessional ... It can be used as a seat or as a simple decorative object captivating by its history and its atypical style. I am delighted to present this favorite piece, it is a really different one, which can bring that "little extra" to an interior!
