Belgium - ミリタリーメダル - 1914–1918 – 戦争の市民犠牲者のためのメダル

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by antique objects. It was not a simple curiosity or a passing nostalgia, but a true admiration for their almost magical ability to cross eras and pass from one life to another. At 15, the age when one can finally participate in flea markets, I began to realize this passion. However, before devoting myself fully to flea markets, I explored other fields by studying forest management and park and garden architecture. But it was after training in Antiques and Flea Markets, followed in evening classes, that I knew that my passion for antique objects would become my profession. I have been in this field for over thirty-five years now. Over the years, I have handled and studied hundreds of thousands of objects. Each of them has taught me something, constantly enriching my perspective and expertise. Over time, I have developed an ability to identify what is valuable, not only from a material point of view, but also for the story that an object can tell. I am convinced that in this profession, experience is worth much more than degrees. We learn by taking our time, by confronting mistakes and discoveries, by listening to those who came before us. The “old hands” in the profession, whom I was lucky enough to meet, passed on this wisdom to me: move slowly, avoid pitfalls and always remain curious. What motivates me, beyond the objects themselves, is their history. Each piece carries a memory, a fragment of a bygone past. My mission is to reveal this story, to transmit it. Abandoned objects thus find a new meaning. This approach fits perfectly with the modern values of sustainable economy and upcycling, but for me, it is above all guided by a deep conviction. Every day, I scour attics, garage sales, estates and auction rooms, always looking for hidden treasures. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a treasure hunter or explorer. Today, this dream has come true: in my own way, I am a hunter or, rather, a passer-by of objects. What I discover bears witness to an art of living, a know-how, an era that deserves to be preserved. The financial aspect is only a means in this approach, never an end. What drives me is the idea of discovering, understanding and sharing. Each object, no matter how modest, has a story to tell. My role is to highlight it, to give it back its place. In this context, Catawiki is a valuable tool. It allows me to share my discoveries with an audience of connoisseurs and enlightened amateurs, people who, like me, appreciate beautiful objects and their history. I am pleased to present to you my findings, the fruit of decades of research and passion. Perhaps you will find among them a piece that will resonate with your own history or that will enrich your daily life. These objects are not only witnesses of the past, they are also fragments of art and life to be transmitted.