About two weeks ago I spent the day in the warehouse unpacking my latest finds. I felt like a kid unwrapping gifts at the holidays. The floor was strewn with bubble wrap, cardboard and crumpled pages of Le Monde. I was alone with my treasures, painstakingly collected from three corners of France.
There was some sadness upon discovering the shattered pieces of an old glass demijohn, but mostly joy and admiration for the craftsmanship of Patrick Galtié’s pottery and Christine Lasalle’s earthenware, objects of beauty that exceeded my expectations.
Their arrival marked the penultimate leg of a long journey. It had taken me a month to find these items, another month to have them manufactured and delivered to Le Havre, and six more weeks for them to reach my warehouse in Michigan. There had been long hauls from Aquitaine, Provence, and Burgundy, countless declaration forms filled in Paris, 10 days spent on the water, a full “devan” inspection at the Port of Newark, and two more trucking legs to Michigan.
When I think of the effort, time and treasure required to bring these items here, I question my sanity. When I think of the logistics in France alone, I know I’m toqué.
Still, it was worth the effort.
Poterie Galtié and Terafeu Terafour are found exclusively on our site and now you can appreciate why. They have one more journey to make, however.
Bon voyage!
I’m totally coveting the green apple tagine!