tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:08:01 +0000mouchoirparrotspaisleystag hunttorchonsred tickingsilkblue dyemid-centurygardensfrancenaturegrape harvestwaterliliesbrocantenapoleonickittensmary jane mccartycocoawoadtravelnapoleon IIIchocolatedufyjapanesearts and crafts1950sfloralsspringkilimbowlingfrench fabricsmonetprovencesongbirdsrosespastelsommieresalsacebezierssunflowersromanticismscallop shellcolorwayscotton printschintzmattress tickingssouthwest francespainversaillescanal du midiboarfourth of julyhandmade pillowsindigofrench antique textilesembroiderycushionsprinted cottonstickingsquiltsholidaysvegetableshummingbirdstea towelsavignonhuntingmarketdelauneysantiago de compostelaikatflowersfrench interiorshot chocolatedeballagestreet signswaterlilyJouyinterior decorpuisserguierfrench scarvesindiennevacancestropical birdsfrench textilesautumn leavestextile designmontpelliertoile de Jouyfrance cotton cotton prints french textiles france french fabricsusaorchidselsie de wolfefortunypuppiescacaowinedecoratinglatour-marliacvalancesmotifscachemireneo-classicalantique fabricsvintage fabricsmulhouselanguedocorientaltoilescanadatsunamigallic roosterdyesfrench-treasures.comkashmirjacquardconversationalzipeliuscarpetvendangepoppiesshawlsvelvetvintage fabricmimosaboutisorganicgrapesart decocranesart nouveaufoodsouth of francetextile manufacturingjosephinetrousseauindependenceyellowscarfSaint Jameselsie dewolfeinterior decorationpillowsleavestour de francelinenFrench vintage fabrics and antique textileshttp://french-treasures.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)Blogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-6787035563359551911Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:35:00 +00002012-02-10T15:35:18.633-06:00toile de Jouyfrench-treasures.comantique fabricsfrench fabricstoilesdyesfrench antique textilesfranceyellowAlthough there are many plants that produce a yellow tint for dyeing, all the natural yellows are light-sensitive and fade quickly. As a result, until color-fast yellow dyes were created in the 19th century, very few textiles were dyed in shades of yellow and only a very few of those have survived. When looking at old French toiles, it's easy to notice that the early yellows had a wide range of http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2012/02/fragments-of-yellow-toiles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-5303251593497728874Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +00002012-01-09T18:00:17.127-06:00indiennefrench-treasures.comantique fabricsfrench textilesfrench fabricsfrance cotton cotton prints french textiles france french fabricsfrench antique textilesfranceprinted cottonsFrench textile designers took inspiration from the colorful printed textiles that were imported from India by traders and overseas trading companies in the 17th century. The Indian motifs and colors were re-interpreted and modified in order to more easily sell to French households. These French-designed and French-produced textiles in the East Indian style were called indiennes. Some of the more http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2012/01/french-fabrics-and-indienne-flower.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-4878224340156675224Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:04:00 +00002011-12-18T09:04:32.543-06:00french-treasures.comfrench textilesfrance cotton cotton prints french textiles france french fabricsfrench antique textilesfranceBonnes fêtes! Happy holidays! http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/12/bonnes-fetes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-4199689217054570392Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:17:00 +00002011-11-07T05:19:24.210-06:00french-treasures.comfrench textilesautumn leavesleavesfrance cotton cotton prints french textiles france french fabricsfrench antique textiles"The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of red and gold...." lyrics by Johnny Mercer The song "Autumn Leaves" was originally written in French by Jaques Prévert and was entitled "Les feuilles mortes" (The dead leaves.) It was later translated by Johnny Mercer. Pictured below are three 19th century French cotton prints with the theme of autumn leaves and leaves starting to http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/11/autumn-leaves.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-1854823900094556713Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:35:00 +00002011-09-04T17:37:02.619-05:00tea towelsfrench textilesfrance cotton cotton prints french textiles france french fabricstorchonsTea towels are a standard in kitchens around the world, but the French tea towel, le torchon, has its own character. Traditionally made of a flat-weave linen or métis (linen-cotton weave), the classic style of tea towel is white or off-white with red stripes. The stripe are sometimes along each end or can be along each of the four sides. On vintage tea towels, there is usually a small http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/09/french-tea-towels-les-torchons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-9124818591321706093Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:42:00 +00002011-08-15T17:42:20.088-05:00france cotton cotton prints french textiles france french fabricsThe long history of cotton production reaches back at least 7000 years to the Indus Valley which encompasses part of northern India and most of modern-day Pakistan. The shrub-like cotton plant, which is related to hibiscus, was an important agricultural crop in the Indus Valley and was woven into cotton fabric. An early Greek traveler to India described the cotton plant as giving "wool" instead http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/08/long-history-of-cotton-production.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-2901234595331865367Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:44:00 +00002011-07-26T22:19:22.822-05:00vegetablesvacancessouth of francetour de franceprovencewinefranceorganicfoodDuring July in France, the grapes are basking in the sun and ripening, the gardens and markets are bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables ... and many French people spend theirs afternoons in front of the TV watching the Tour de France. This year has been especially thrilling for France because a young French rider was in the lead until the next to the last stage. The Tour 2011 and the month http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/07/lete-or-summertime.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-4330473141384432997Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:00:00 +00002011-06-23T09:50:51.671-05:00tickingsfrench-treasures.comfrench textilesfrench fabricsmattress tickingsfrench antique textilesFrench antique tickings from the Alsace region of France are coveted for their deep red tones and seemingly endless variations in the colors, shadings and widths of the stripes. Although most collectors are familiar with the saturated red tickings, the softer tones are less well-known. In addition to the red tickings, the region produced pastel and pale shades as well as tickings that were http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/06/more-french-tickings-from-alsace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-7058997479139034393Sat, 14 May 2011 16:02:00 +00002011-06-21T11:01:29.383-05:00french-treasures.comred tickingfrench fabricsmattress tickingsfrench interiorsfrench antique textilesfranceTextile weaving, dyeing and printing was a major industry in the Alsace region of northeast France. Textile factories dotted the region and competed fiercely to produce beautiful colors and patterns on cotton fabrics. The region also produced utilitarian fabrics, including woven mattress tickings in deep saturated tones and in colors not seen elsewhere in France. In days gone by, bedding was madehttp://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/05/french-red-tickings-from-alsace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-5988983648991370280Thu, 05 May 2011 04:21:00 +00002011-05-04T23:21:00.479-05:00french-treasures.comfrench fabricsfrench interiorsfrench antique textilesTo add examples of the use of the color gray in antique French fabrics, this post follows and expands on "Color schemes in 19th century French textiles, part 7." Gray was very much favored in delicate or romantic foreground motifs in combination with one or two other colors. Pink and burgundy tones were commonly paired with gray, but other colors were occasionally also used. The five pieces shownhttp://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/05/color-schemes-in-19th-c-french-textiles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-2735388771302183724Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:41:00 +00002011-04-22T06:41:00.227-05:00french-treasures.comfrench fabricsfrench interiorsfrench antique textilesThis post on the popularity of red backgrounds in French fabrics is an expansion of the earlier post "Color schemes in 19th C French textiles, part 4." One of the more surprising color schemes is the use of a dark red background with a black monochromatic foreground motif. These seem so heavy, but were probably very warm feeling during the dark winter months and would have looked beautiful in http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/04/color-schemes-in-19th-c-french-textiles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-3703623996393231444Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:05:00 +00002011-04-01T14:27:03.996-05:00french fabricsfrench antique textilesIn many of the gaily printed fabrics from Provence, red and gold were frequently paired. Sometimes a touch of aqua was used as a complement to the red and gold motif. Here are a few examples: Another perennial favorite that we don't see very often nowadays is using shades of turquoise or aqua with shades of red. Some interesting variations on this color scheme are shown below, starting with a http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/03/color-schemes-in-19-c-french-fabrics.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-5931056554880989180Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:59:00 +00002011-03-18T17:59:52.926-05:00french-treasures.comjapanesetsunamifrench antique textilesfranceThe motifs in this 19th century French fabric, circa 1870, were inspired by aspects of Japanese art and history. Quaint and romanticized depictions are set on a medium beige background. Interestingly, the motifs include fans, stylized lanterns, exotic flowers, cranes and  ... a towering tsunami. The tsunami is shown in blues, white and brown. (The pictures are smallish because they were taken http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/03/tsunami-in-19th-century-textiles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-8626115464089753342Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:31:00 +00002011-07-17T04:54:24.528-05:00french-treasures.comfrench fabricsfrench interiorsfrench antique textilesfranceAlthough Chinese forms and porcelain patterns were known in France very early in the 17th century, Chinese-influenced design came to prominence during the reign of Louis XIV (ruled from 1643 to his death in 1715.) Louis XIV's reign was characterized by sophisticated elegance and a flourishing of French art and architecture with the palace at Versailles as an example of French mastery and taste. http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/01/chinoiserie-in-france-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-3982183135154613521Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:41:00 +00002010-12-19T17:41:50.865-06:00Joyeux Noël! Meilleurs voeux pour une année remplie de bonheur! Merry Christmas and best wishes for a new year filled with happiness. http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/joyeux-noel-et-bonne-annee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-8060442523749742200Fri, 12 Nov 2010 03:01:00 +00002010-11-16T15:38:18.553-06:00french-treasures.comdelauneyfrench fabricsdufyfrench antique textilesAn important aspect of the Art Deco movement was characterized by designs that were stylized depictions of aspects of everyday life - parties, sailing, outdoor celebrations, houses and more. Raoul Dufy was one of the leading designers of this style, which quickly became popular. Dufy's ideas and style were copied and re-interpreted by other artists and by many textile companies. By the 1930s, thehttp://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/11/dufys-influence-on-french-textile.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-8475273011574376121Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:03:00 +00002010-10-19T20:39:04.304-05:00french-treasures.comfrench textilesart decofrench fabricsfrench antique textilesfranceIn the fall of 1905, all Paris was talking about the new style of paintings exhibited at the Salon d'automne. A group of artists led by Henri Matisse, who came to be known as Fauvists, used bright and clear colors in their revolutionary work. Similar movements took hold in the art world in Germany and Austria. French textile designers from that era included Sonia Delauney and Raul Dufy whose http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/10/art-deco-orange.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-7253811397278440809Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:35:00 +00002010-09-28T04:35:00.364-05:00french-treasures.comstag huntnapoleonicfrench fabricsboarfrench interiorshuntingfrench antique textilesfranceIn rural France, hunting is a popular sport that almost seems out-of-step with the French love of nature. Each fall, the fields and woods are in a frenzy with dozens of hunters and frightened scurrying animals. In the last French national election, one candidate for parliament promoted only two policies: to retain bull-fighting and to keep all rural land open for hunting, i.e. to disallow the http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/09/hunting-they-will-go.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-3232400453717854537Sun, 19 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +00002010-09-19T06:25:02.085-05:00toile de Jouyhummingbirdsspringfrench fabricschintzsongbirdstoilesfrench antique textilesfranceAlthough France is famous for glorious Paris, most of the country is rural with a large proportion of the people engaged in agriculture and agriculture-related activities. The French are very much in tune with the weather and the rhythm of the seasons and take great joy from the flowers, birds and other creatures. The18th and 19th century French textile designs reflected this love of nature in http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/09/fine-feathered-friends.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-1744959983942525232Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:09:00 +00002010-09-09T07:09:23.434-05:00french-treasures.commulhousefrench fabricsfrench interiorscotton printssilkalsaceprinted cottonsjacquardThe reign of Napoleon III (1852-1870) - called the Second Empire - was characterized by a period of rapid economic growth in France that created a prosperous middle class. Many of these newly-affluent middle class people now wanted to own larger homes and to create interiors that would be like the luxurious rooms in the very wealthiest houses. The printed-textile manufacturers were quick to http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/09/cotton-masquerading-as-fine-silk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-8307310305717390153Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:50:00 +00002010-08-29T04:50:00.815-05:00motifsfrench-treasures.comrosesorchidsfrench fabricsfrench antique textilesfranceIn the 18th and 19th centuries, botanists across Europe were fascinated by the orchid plant, which originally came from Mexico. This New World plant was included in many plant collections, but getting it to grow and to reproduce was difficult. In addition, the best growing environment for orchids usually required a greenhouse which was a costly proposition. As a result, orchids did not become a http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/08/orchids-as-motif-in-french-textiles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-1724950197098533456Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:21:00 +00002010-08-23T05:21:00.488-05:00puisserguiergrape harvestvendangesouth of franceLe vendange - the grape harvest- has started in the south of France. The villages and roadways are busy this time of year, buzzing with the many people and the various pieces of agricultural machinery needed to pick the grapes and transport them to the wine cave. The status of the grape in the French economy and in French cuisine is all-important. The culture of the grape is reflected in http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/08/end-of-summer-harvest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-2774640855888020383Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:04:00 +00002010-09-03T15:49:41.464-05:00french-treasures.comsouth of francefrench fabricssunflowersfrench antique textilesImages of rural France often include panoramic views of rolling fields of sunflowers - plants that grow as tall as five feet with blooms that follow the arc of the sun. French textile designers took inspiration from these fields of golden flowers and used them as motifs in printed fabrics. The first olive background swatch below is from the late 19th century. The beige and gray stylized motif http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/08/sunflowers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-1378607043425815595Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:15:00 +00002010-08-07T05:15:00.973-05:00velvetvalancesnapoleon IIIembroideryfrench fabricsfrench interiorsfrench antique textilesSewing was a necessity in homes around the world until after mid-20th century. During the 19th century and earlier, women in France always had a sewing or needlework project close at hand to pick up whenever they were sitting or resting. Everything was hand-stitched - from clothing to bed linens to draperies and of course, decorative items. Aside from the necessary sewing required for the home, http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/08/napoleon-iii-silk-embroidery-on-velvet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452305444082663613.post-3402065906047510476Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:31:00 +00002010-07-31T10:41:17.467-05:00french-treasures.comart nouveauwaterlilieswaterlilymonetlatour-marliacsouthwest francefrench antique textilesfranceIn Europe, until the second half of the 19th century, the common waterlily was a wild plant with plain white flowers. By the 1860s, an enterprising Frenchman named Joseph Latour-Marliac began experimenting with the hybridization of these waterlilies and was soon successful in creating hardy hybrids that could be cultivated. In 1875, he opened a nursery at Temple-sur-Lot in southwest France where http://french-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/07/waterlilies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (french-treasures)0