French Provencal fabric. Depicting traditional colors and designs. Patterns that use to be hand-blocked using natural pigments of the region in shades of red, blue, yellow and green.
French Provencal early nineteen century traditional day wear costume. Varied small printed fabrics. Designs mainly of miniature bouquets, floral and paisleys. Quilted cotton, layers upon layers. Pocket purse attached at waist.
Note: Small pleats on the antique cape, and the scarf wrapped tightly around the bodice of the blouse, then tucked firmly at the waist.
Lavender bottles or wands (called "quenouilles de lavande" or "fuseaux," in French, thanks Marie Noelle for the answer.) used to scent chest of drawers and armoires.
Varied antique French Provencal "boutis" quilts. Folded with care. Rare Indian blues. This collection dates late eighteen century to the early nineteen century.
Photos: Taken at Michel Biehn shop in Isle sur la Sorgue.
Eighteen century French painting depicting women and children from the market place wearing traditional Provencal clothing. (Photo taken at the museum in Arles.)
Antique French santons (nativity scene characters) in traditional Provencal clothing. Quilted skirts, apron, scarves, and purse pocket.
Photo: 18th century Provencal boutis from my personal collection.
Drooling.
Admiring.
Hoping.
Wishing.
Me needs me one of those.
And you, you have an entire collection of them? You go girl!
Love the old dress, simply beautiful.
xo
Blue
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 19 September 2007 at 04:54 AM
lovely soft fabrics
colorful and full of
love and life and...
tiny stitches - one at a time
like our precious days
each one following the other
pearls on a beautiful necklace
worn and carried day by day
by each of us - we touch
the stitch, the pearl
and remember each...
and every one...
by touch - we feel...
the sensual loveliness
of life...
stitch by stitch
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 19 September 2007 at 05:59 AM
those fabrics are yummy
simply piled up
like so many fancy pancakes!
:-)
if they were mine
i would play with them,
i think,
folding and draping and even, yes, even ironing them smooth.
don't you wish they were all yours?
Posted by: sompinkflowers | 19 September 2007 at 06:01 AM
Corey, this makes me think of the old country
and are great-grandma. The brightly colored woven tapestries, linen towels lovingly made by her own hands. With 12 children how did she
find the time. The thoughts loving intents and
prayers that went into each handmade stitch.
They remain tangible still in the cloth as I
hold them......Your in our hearts and thoughts
till our next party Love your Godmother
Posted by: Pinkie Denise | 19 September 2007 at 07:08 AM
How wonderful that the textiles have kept their rich colors, and no matter what colors and pattern they are, they seem to match perfectly. :-) Beautiful!
Posted by: Hasmin | 19 September 2007 at 07:10 AM
Oh I love this post, I'm crazy about fabrics...
Posted by: robyn pope | 19 September 2007 at 07:12 AM
I had forgotten about lavender Bottles (?) We called them lavender wands. Actually spent an afternoon making them in a good friend's garden in Sausalito back in the 70's. Can you buy them there? The scent from that basket of them must have been so heady.
Posted by: Jenny F. | 19 September 2007 at 07:45 AM
Just wonderful . By seeing these pictures, I'm so proud to be provencal .
It is gorgeous . You are such a good ambassador of Provence.
Posted by: Mélanie | 19 September 2007 at 08:12 AM
The photos are so lovely - and that last one, reminds me so much of some items my great aunt had sewn. I remember I loved a throw pillow of hers made from similar fabric.
I've tried so often to make lavender bottles - mine never turn out looking like these beauties! But at least they still smell good.
Thank you for bringing back some fond memories~xo
Posted by: tinker | 19 September 2007 at 08:14 AM
A few years ago, we went to the Riviera in the autumn (at school break) and we had rain the whole week through....We visited museums and indoor "places-to-see".... including Grasse with its perfume factory & shop + the history and art museum of Provence - where I particularly appreciated the sections of "furniture", "ceramics" and "fabrics and costumes"...
One summer we attended a procession (was it in Arles? can't remember...). We had a lot to see in the "arène" and in the audience (as all the locals attended the procession in their traditional Provençal costumes) -
an authentic colourful fête !!! magnificent !
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 19 September 2007 at 09:18 AM
corey,
i'm delurking
i have so many memories of provence from when i was a little girl (our family spent holidays in france)
my mother was a quilter and our suitcases groaned with fabric on the way home
so your fabric post has nearly caused me to explode with HAPPY!
thank you thank you thank you
this is just the most gorgeous blog
i absolutely love it. LOVE it
Posted by: debi | 19 September 2007 at 09:24 AM
What lovely colors, patterns and textures. So evocative of time and place. Mmmmmmm....
Posted by: tlchang | 19 September 2007 at 10:21 AM
I love my daily tour of your treasure troves.
How fabulous they are and YOU
Out of this world.
I love you!
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 19 September 2007 at 12:03 PM
Such beautiful fabrics and great craftmanship!
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 19 September 2007 at 12:17 PM
love looking at your blog--it's like having a new victoria magazine in my home updated often!! just absolutely breathtaking!!!
Posted by: suesue | 19 September 2007 at 12:30 PM
Now you're feeding into one of my obsessions. My Italian home is upholstered in fabrics bought at Provencale markets, the windows covered in those witty lace curtains from the same markets (sans fringy bottoms.) There are reasons why I don't go back. Next home will be smaller, not bigger.
Posted by: Judith in Umbria | 19 September 2007 at 12:43 PM
as i strolled through your post, i kept wanting to reach out & touch those beautiful fabrics. i just bet the feel as luscious as they look.
such pretty everyday wear with so many beautiful details!
Posted by: qualcosa di bello | 19 September 2007 at 01:04 PM
"love looking at your blog--it's like having a new victoria magazine in my home updated often!! just absolutely breathtaking!!!"
I second that. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Posted by: Alison Whittington | 19 September 2007 at 01:12 PM
The vivid colors and intricate details in the fabric are beautiful. I love how they all match each other!
And the quilts...well, I love to snuggle with a quilt and book over here!
Posted by: Beverly | 19 September 2007 at 01:13 PM
Cory, your photos are delightful, and I sepecially love the first one, whoever folds and stacks the fabrics into sucha rainbow of colour is tryuly clever, and so are you for spotting this and sharing it with others via your blog! Thanks.
Amalee
Posted by: amalee issa | 19 September 2007 at 01:14 PM
...and my apologies for letting my fingers run away with me on the keyboard, and strangle the spelling below!
Posted by: amalee issa | 19 September 2007 at 01:15 PM
Oh what a feast!
I am full to the brim and inspired...............
Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by: michelle | 19 September 2007 at 01:29 PM
That pocket purse is such a great design... wow!
Posted by: wilsonian | 19 September 2007 at 01:32 PM
Yum Yum Yum!
I've always loved Pierre Deux, so much I even went to their factory.
Not only the indigo dyes were from India, but the block prints too!
Who'd a thunk Provencal prints are really Indian?
But then look at the brilliant, strong colors...
Delicious post!
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 19 September 2007 at 02:00 PM
There is nothing more exotic sounding than the words "rare Indian blues". It makes me want to go out and explore the Indian market places and see the rich colors.
Posted by: Shannon | 19 September 2007 at 02:05 PM
Beautiful and informative, you always seem to combine the two.
A pocket purse looks like such a useful idea.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | 19 September 2007 at 02:15 PM
aah...tissus provencales...you touched my heart corey!! we bought 2 large cloths in may in le crau du roi. i love them all but the boutis at the end is the best!!
Posted by: marita | 19 September 2007 at 02:20 PM
What beautiful fabrics! I want to reach out and touch them!! To see the color !
Posted by: Pam Aries | 19 September 2007 at 02:26 PM
Incredible colors...I love the yellows. The guest room in my house has yellow and red toile...one of those quilts would look beautiful in there.
Posted by: Mo'a | 19 September 2007 at 03:59 PM
Oy, this is like Thread Porn.
Posted by: BOSSY | 19 September 2007 at 04:23 PM
Gorgeous, Corey. now I want to go out and try my hand at making those lavender bottles - we've got loads of lavender in flower. I just need to work out how they were made. I love those fabric colours too.
Posted by: Kit | 19 September 2007 at 05:04 PM
I like this post.
Posted by: Brother Mathew | 19 September 2007 at 05:18 PM
I am not fond of sewing but a friend sent me some gorgeous Provencal fabric, so I made throw pillows for the chambray couch. Love the bright colors in your photos.
Posted by: martina | 19 September 2007 at 05:19 PM
It's a good think that I don't live in France ... I'd be completely broke. Who could resist those gorgeous textiles! ~ Lynda xo
Posted by: Lynda | 19 September 2007 at 05:38 PM
Being a textile freak I think I actually had palpitations looking at these photos!
I did bring back a Provencal tablecloth and cloth napkins when I was there...and a hanging bread bag. (oh and 2 clay dolls wearing traditional clothing). So I guess that's something! :)
Thank for for the glimpse of fabric treasures!
XOXOXO
Posted by: Lisa M.S. Oceandreamer | 19 September 2007 at 05:49 PM
OK Corey, with all that fabric... you have NO excuse!!! :-) You could just wear the cape, but then I would have such envy... that you'd be right back to Lady Godiva... XO
Posted by: Lea | 19 September 2007 at 06:16 PM
Corey,
Thanks for sharing, it's all so pretty.
I love that kind of fabric.
What a wonderful shop!!
Have a happy Wednesday!
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | 19 September 2007 at 06:34 PM
Love the fabric,
the lavender wands,
the santos!
It's all good!
Posted by: rochambeau | 19 September 2007 at 07:35 PM
Oh my goodness, the fabrics are beautiful, so neatly folded and crying of traditional romance and country charm. Really love the traditional day-wear costume, I wish I could transport myself to the time when people walked around in them...must have been lovely.
Posted by: cruststation | 19 September 2007 at 08:50 PM
YUM! Stunning! Breathtaking!!! We sell lots of imported Provencal textiles at the shop, but NONE compare to the authentic old ones!
Posted by: beachy | 19 September 2007 at 09:23 PM
I just the love those fabrics, and the way they're displayed. Love your photography, too!
Posted by: tut-tut | 19 September 2007 at 09:33 PM
What yummy fabrics! The colors are just so beautiful. Those lavender bottles are so pretty too. Your photos are so gorgeous I just want to reach out and touch everything!
Manuela
Posted by: the feathered nest | 19 September 2007 at 10:10 PM
Um, excuse me while I sop up the drool off of my desk!
Posted by: Heather | 20 September 2007 at 02:38 AM
Holy Cow! What a wonderful fabric orgy! Every one is drool worthy!
Posted by: Lorie | 20 September 2007 at 03:09 AM
Those provencal fabrics are so gorgeous! I especially like the bright colours. And the little pleats in the cape and the ruffle -so beautiful!
Posted by: susanna | 20 September 2007 at 03:58 AM
When I visited France, it wasn't until the last two days, that I discovered where the "real" people shopped. It was so much fun buying french children's books, kitchen items, and fabrics. I didn't go home with any of the typical tourista stuff.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | 20 September 2007 at 06:35 AM
I just caught up on this raft of posts. Another wonderful week of eye feasts. Lovely.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | 20 September 2007 at 10:03 AM
I've always been rather fond of Provencal prints, they remind me of a summer spent in Grasse as a teenager. Have to say I have never seen such beautiful lavender bottles as these and now I'm really regretting having disposed of my lavender prunings!
Posted by: carolyn | 20 September 2007 at 12:15 PM
Gorgeous gorgeousness. Love these prints, I could wallpaper my house in them. A different fabric in each room. Too much do you think? Must buy some when I'm there next and make a quilt from it what a great way to remember a holiday. Leanne
Posted by: Leanne | 20 September 2007 at 11:23 PM
oh i just love those fabrics! and the clothing is wonderful too - wouldnt it be fun if everyone dressed like that again? ... maybe just for a day?
Posted by: Amanda | 22 September 2007 at 07:07 AM
I wouldn't mind owning that stack of gorgeous Provencal fabrics...yummmmmm
Posted by: Connie W | 22 September 2007 at 03:48 PM
I used to stock Les Olivades fabrics, and I still have a love for boutis. I think I shall have to post about this in my int.design blog sometime!
Posted by: Irene | 26 September 2007 at 12:31 PM
I love your photography!
You give a good image of provencal art!
thank you so much !
Jérôme (Marseille France)
Posted by: jérôme Fagnou | 06 November 2008 at 05:44 PM