I must admit, I have days when all I want to do is look at old fabric and books relating to their history. There is a certain captivation in this subject that keeps me returning to it time and again. I particularly love linens, and the pieces I want to share all seem to have some common design elements. The linen above is very heavy and grand in texture. Several years ago, I made a handbag out of this for one of my daughters and it ultimately became one of our favorites.
This piece is more refined in terms of the weave, and I am always partial to anything with a bird. The colors in this are also very vivid and painterly.
What is it about the color combination of orange and blue that is forever a standard classic? Years ago I worked for an antique dealer who described the colors of his library to me. The walls were orange and against this color he had hung antique Delft blue plates. Shortly thereafter, I painted our bedroom walls orange and added rich blue taffeta drapes. I never tired of the combination just as I never tire of looking at this linen.
About a year ago on a trip to Seattle, I found this linen piece in an antique mall near Pioneer Square. What I love about it is the unusual combination of colors. It must have made quite a spectacular room with these draperies as the centerpiece.
To my surprise, it was a Brunschwig and Fils textile. I am guessing it was 1970′s or 80′s, but it could have also been earlier. If anyone knows how to access any archives on this I would love the information.
What I think all of these have in common is a similar design that has a derivation from the elements of Indian Chintz textiles. In the early 1600′s these were made in south-east India, the Coromandel Coast, and exported to Europe. They were cotton or linen, and all were beautifully hand painted. So many of the furnishing fabrics that we admire today contain some of these beautiful elements of design and color. The subject itself is equally captivating and fascinating. No wonder Western culture was so taken by these works of art. The real thing as displayed in a museum will confirm this inherent beauty.
I love orange and blue together. It’s a happy combination! And those are some great examples.
I am about to do a post on Clarice Cliff and for certain these were some of her favorite colors too. Yes, they are happy.
i was just thinking the other day that they just don’t produce florals like they used to. not enough detail or color variation. these are just beauties….
I agree. The florals of today seem focused on masses of color instead of form, so the detail gets lost amidst the confusion of color.
They are all wonderful. So enjoyable but my absolute favorite is the second one down. The color combinations are compelling and I just want to run my eyes over it. Imagine being in a dentist’s office with those draperies on the wall, you could just wander off in your imagination and never feel anything. Lovely, lovely!
Perhaps you are drawn to the birds too. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if dentists would decorate their rooms with similar textiles. I might even make an appointment just to go look at the draperies. The Mendocino Hotel has linen curtains that I have been eyeing for years now in the same way. If only they would redecorate and offer the panels for a song. I already offered to take them off his hands. He declined and simply recovered a few more chairs.
What beautiful fabrics! My favorite is the second one with the bird just beautiful colors(although all of them are beautiful). I like the bird in it too. I think it’s a great idea to have such beautiful welcoming fabrics to look at while at the dentist too.
I think the vote is out, the second one seems to be the favorite. It has a refined and subtle beauty that would appeal to those that love color, embroidery, and classic textiles. I suppose it would be a good one to share if I had enough to go around. Next year is Whitney. The goal is sometimes as good as the achievement.