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Clouds and moon like the Rococo in June — after dinner at the Marché des Enfants Rouge –a favorite.
The term Toile de Jouy is used, I was told by a textile dealer at Clignancourt, to describe all toiles of this type regardless of the location of the factory production– like Nantes–as in toile de Nantes. From Paris, I took the train to Jouy-en-Josas where the Oberkampf factory was set up in the 1750’s to print their cotton fabrics. When I arrived, it was just me at the Museum of Toile de Jouy and when I left there were a couple of ladies. The museum has a wonderful archive of toile de jouy– a few you can see below.
These are two exquisite Fez embroideries I found in Paris. They are unique because of their dark blue color and that they are larger complete pieces. The smaller of the two is fine example from the 19th century in tones of indigo and woad. It could be called architectural in the patterning. Several times the dealer told me it is a classic design, “It’s in books!” she said. It has very fine stitching– the front and the back being the same, and if you embroidery, you know what talent that takes.
The second piece is from the 1940’s and is unusual in that it is an all over pattern, repeating the same motif. You can see the charming –what you could call a conscious irregularity– in the middle towards the right side where the motifs interconnect. This could be considered a mistake, but it is most likely following the idea the only God is perfect. If you create a perfect textile you are saying you are like god. Therefore there is a conscious irregularity in the pattern to not be perfect.
Check out some previous custom fez pillows I have made in the past.
For these two new Fez the question is…to cut or not to cut? I think for now these will be going up for sale as is at PontiusSHOP later in the week.
