This piece was discovered in the countryside The closest small commune has a population, including surrounds, of only 400, the remaining towers of a twelfth century castle and a Dolmen in the woods nearby.
Monsieur Dechamp arranged to meet us outside the firestation in Crocq, explaining it was easier for him to meet us there than try to give us the complicated instructions. Besides, the piece was not at his house anymore and was kept in storage in a barn. We duly arrived at the firestation in Crocq and waited for our rendezvous. After a few minutes an army green landrover type vehicle slid to a stop beside our car, with two grey haired wizened old fellas inside
He pulled over by the 'barn', which I would have recognised more as an ancient ruin, and lifting with effort creaked the door open. Inside on a wooden pallet base in the middle of the empty shed was an object wrapped in old cloth.
Pulling the cloth off, underneath was what was explained as a 'Buffet Ancien', taken from his fathers old house not far from where we were. Same sad story we have heard so often, the house was cleared out and the small farm was now up for sale. This was the last piece to go.
On looking the piece over we attempted to negotiate the asking price, just the once, briefly.
“Non”
was the short quick answer and we decided perhaps there were times when we should attempt not to offend. Especially when in the middle of goodness knows where with a coupe of old blokes that looked like they were ready to go off on a hunt as soon as we were done here.
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