Le Coq Gaulois (the Gallic Rooster) ~ You collect what?
Er, er, er…er, err!
Cock-a doodle do!
I collect roosters,
but don't expect you to, too!
For some strange reason at a very young age, I knew yard-birds would be my attraction for the odd collected item in my grownup home. Perhaps it is because several older women in my family had rooster and hen collections that I admired as a little girl, and those same women were my personal family heroines. I have often wondered... What makes a grown woman collect such oddities? It wasn't as if these women didn't have the usual things a young girl admires like; a "handsome and awesome" husband, or material goodies like; money, a nice automobile, jewels, beautiful clothes, decorated homes, or travel adventures that are envied, and plenty of shoes. I drooled over those things too and swore I would be just like them when I grew up. Roosters and hens have been a part of my whimsical side for many years now, but awhile back I regrettably let the opinions of others get the best of me and rid myself of some yard-birds that I had no business ever departing.
At that regrettable time, I had over 54 rooster-hen items in my apartment. I had separated from my husband and became obsessed with buying them, probably to fill a void, which was silly, but it felt good at the time. I will admit a lot of them were unnecessary, but most of them were very attractive and well made. As all collectors do, I went through a stage of buying every piece I found that had to do with my dream theme. Ask me what that theme was. Hmmm, was it... Country Chic? No. Southern Charm? Nope. Crazy Divorced Lady allergic to Cats? Not hardly, but I am allergic. I don't remember, lol. But French Country (Texas style) was where I remember my taste being when I bought my first major piece that permenatized (is that a word?) my theme… pictured above.
He is heavy and made out of something that looks similar to paper-mache. He stands 23 inches tall and is 18 inches wide. In 2003, I fell for him while shopping in one of my all time favorite Hill Country, girly girl shop stops… Cowgirls and Lace Located outside of Austin on West Highway 290 as you exit Dripping Springs heading into the hills. C&L has served many people well for finding whimsical and chic country treasures to add to their home and wardrobe, or to give as gifts. And, the women there are very creative and fun to talk to. Finding him upped the annie on my Texas-French Country rooster obsession. I no longer needed any ol'yard-bird piece. I then desired only items that are made in palettes that could blend in with the rest of my home and not be crowing or clucking away at my nerves. And I decided that despite what people say, a woman should collect what SHE adores, because after all… it is HER sanctuary, which reflects her beauty and spirit that people grow to love.
He now stands watching over-the-house on our french country sideboard cabinet in the dining room, under his morning-time friend… the sun.
Most women start collecting a variety of made things other than shoes, like:
Horses
Cows
Pigs
Ducks
Rabbits
Turtles
Dogs
Cats
Flowers
Birds
Birdhouses
Crosses
Angels
Teapots
Pitchers
and even Plates
What is is about roosters and hens that seem so fitting in a french country, or any chic country interior setting?
The Gallic Rooster, is known as one of the national emblems of France and a revolutionary symbol. Throughout its french history the image has been placed on flags, atop church bell towers, on stamps, painted and carved on furniture and within the heart of the French as a symbol of strength. In ancient Greece the rooster greeting each morning was the symbol of triumph over each night. The Chinese Zodiac claims the rooster symbolizes honesty. In Christianity the rooster crowed three times in the famous New Testament story… I'll just assume you know which one it is. In most rooster folklore it is said that they watch over us.
Roosters are also well known for being used in weathervanes in America. Seriously, I would love to own a copper antique rooster weathervane by A. L. Jewell & Co. (Waltham, MA) but they are now so outrageously expensive that I can only admire a copied photo. Here's a splendid one from around 1870 listed on 1stdibs with an asking price of 26k!
Well, my remaining roosters and hens all together aren't even worth a 10th of that price, but I do enjoy them in my home. That is all that matters. Collect what you enjoy. Below are just a few of them.
A colorful Italian Intrada (what? that's not french!)
A colorful Italian Intrada (what? that's not french!)
A Vietri (Italian) ceramic funky chicken statute.
A wood carved pink hen (import)
A small vintage "made in Japan" rooster planter.
A large urn/vase (import)
A large tray sitting atop of the refrigerator (import)
Two Aubusson throw pillows (24 and 20 inch) which the velvet backs and tassel trim had to be removed, because that look is too dated and drove me nuts. Aubusson pillows are great for any country style interior, and IMO the simpler (without fussy trimming) the more pleasant they are to mix with contemporary things. After a few years of use, I recently took them apart and replaced both backs with heavy Belgian basket weave linen.
My grandmothers hen on a nest
Now on to my latest rooster find.
A vintage pair of white rooster lamps from the wonderful vintage Etsy shop Heartkeyologie. Amy (the shop owner) states she sells "vintage goodies with personality." I had been searching for a pair of white rooster lamps that I would like, for several years and finally found these...
They are probably not the most sought after duo by many of you, but they are definitely a had-to-have item for this yard-bird lover! I will paint the wooden bases in some light taupe - french gray and aged color mixture and perhaps replace the harps for shorter ones from my favorite vintage lamp pro's at Tipler's Lamp Shop. Then they will be able to hold a smaller linen slope shade. One lamp will go in the kitchen on the bar cart and the other, on the front door entry table.
The moral to this story is never let anyone steer you away from something that brightens your day. Sometimes it is the whimsical and odd collected things that bring needed joy into our lives. We all can find joy in sharing our differences. Either that or give each other a darn good laugh.
After all my rooster collecting, my "handsome and awesome" main rooster (the above mentioned husband that I separated from and divorced) and I are back together, happily roosting away.
~
If you're passing through Austin on your way to the Texas Hill Country, be sure to stop by
If you are looking for some fun vintage items be sure to check out the Etsy shop
~
Cock-a doodle do!
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