This Old Thing? Why Vintage Plates From Paris Are All the Rage
Designers, chefs and dinner-party enthusiasts have discovered the joys—and hefty price tags—of antique tableware.
Blanche Patine specializes in early 20th century French ceramics.
Photographer: Karel Balas
Parisians have always had a penchant for vintage shopping. Every weekend, browsers clad in Karl Lagerfeld-era Chloé flock to the Saint-Ouen flea market in search of original Eileen Grey armchairs and Louis XV commodes. Lately, thanks to an appointment-only boutique tucked in a hidden courtyard in the Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood, their attention has shifted to the dining table.
At Blanche Patine, which specializes in early 20th century French ceramics, founder Cécile Viarouge has handpicked a joyful profusion of terrines, egg cups and wine glasses, stacked floor to ceiling on shelves in a 1,300-square-foot gem of a space.