Wednesday 29 April 2009

Beautiful French toile, domestic scenes of real charm, c.1825







I couldn't resist sharing some of these wonderful vignettes from a French toile panel, Toile de Rouen as opposed to Toile de Jouy, dating to 1825. I love this toile, as it depicts everyday scenes and dramas with the most incredible detail, so refreshingly different from the usual classical or overly romantic subject matter more frequently associated with such pieces.
Please click on the pictures to see the wonderful detail!

8 comments:

  1. This is an incredible piece. Thank you so much for posting.

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  2. I am so glad you like it! I would like to live in that house! xx

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  3. Hi Lois,
    A fabulous panel of fabric - I love the cook with her range and boiling cooking pot.
    I hadn't realised there was a different fabric called toile de Rouen. (I've been to Rouen too!) Is it easy to identify the differnece to toile to Jouy?
    I have a wonderful panel that is differnt to my other toiles - it features angels and elephants! I'm sure this could be from Rouen, as it has a more generally filled in red look, like yours.
    Niki

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  4. Hi Niki, I think I know the panel, and have a piece! My fetish with French toiles has led me to find out more about them, and while I am not positive, I think the one you mention is from Rouen. There were quite a few factories producing Toilles around the same time as Jouy,from about 1780-1840, each with their own distinctive style. I will post more pics of different toiles over the weekend, you may find it interesting! Have a lovely weekend, Lois xx

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  5. I just posted an American toile on my blog tonight and referenced the French toiles. These are so, so lovely. You find the most exquisite textiles. I love all of them!

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  6. Thank you! I have just read your toile post, really fascinating! I love your site, and will put the address in my list of favourite site.

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  7. I really enjoy the humour in this piece, and the details of the different clothes, and the fact that ordinary everyday activities are depicted. So often the everyday detail of social history is ignored and therefore lost.

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  8. I agree, it is a beautiful panel, somehow even nicer than a lot of the over-romantasised pastoral toiles. xx

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