Le japonisme at the Manufacture Prelle

Japan fascinates. Throughout the world, people seem to fall head-over-heels in love with the Japanese way of life: the cuisine, the etiquette, the art. In the late 19th century, all of Europe was under the spell of the Japanese aesthetic. And the European aesthetic called japonisme, is currently a la mode in Paris. (Think the Van Gogh exhibit at the Pinacotheque.) Right now, the manufacture Prelle is showcasing a French example of japonisme with a selection of archives dating 1850 to 1930.

For those who need an introduction, Prelle is a silk weaving company that can trace its story back to 1752. For the past five generations, the Prelle/Verzier family has run the manufacture. Since the end of the Second World War, the specialty of the maison is weaving replicas of its historical (and often historic) documents for monuments throughout France, Europe and even in the United States. Today the majority of Prelle's production is for private end-clients with prestigious homes throughout the world. Prelle continues to weave from its archive of fabrics that span the centuries between the days of Louis XIV through the 1950s.

This winter, the Prelle Paris showroom has been transformed into a boudoir japonisant with extravagant furniture from the late nineteenth century: a day-bed settled into an oriental-style fauve, or a wardrobe with a very intricate system of shelves for different-sized objects made in sleek, dark wood encrusted with an ivory parakeet. Gabriel Viardot imagined both of these pieces. He was a very active ebeniste in the 1880s and specialized in heavy, animated furniture for artists and collectors interested in Japanese art. (He created the display cases for Madame d'Ennery's extensive collections of Far Eastern art - I'll talk more about this and the Musee d'Ennery's re-opening next week.)

But the heart of the Prelle exhibit are the textile creations from the Manufacture Prelle. The most impressive fabrics look like woven paintings. They were created by artists who worked specifically for the silk fabricants in Lyons with names like: Martin, Roux and most of all Eugene Prelle who was very likely also the brain behind the incredible collection of over 150 katagami that remain in the Prelle archive today. Katagami are stencils used in the confection of traditional kimono cloths. They were collected by Europeans as art objects at the same time as they collected engravings by Hiroshige or Hokusai.

Silver archives from Christofle and crystal pieces from Baccarat are also presented in the exhibit, adding depth to the story of japonisme in French crafts.

If you decide to go for a visit, be sure to say you've read Paris Notes - and you'll get a special guided tour!

Until next time, sayonara!
CSL

Le japonisme et les exotismes dans la soierie lyonnaise
Through March 29, 2013

Manufacture Prelle
5 Place des Victoires
75001 Paris
tel. 01 42 36 67 21
.
Prelle's hours are
Monday through Thursday: 9am-6pm
Friday: 9am-5pm

Link to Prelle website

The Manufacture Prelle Warms Up December With Gloves By Thomasine Barnekow

At last! Snow! We knew it would fall one day, although I'll admit I was enjoying the omission until Friday morning's windstorm brought a flurry of flakes into the region. Winter is right around the corner with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. It's time to make another seasonal wardrobe change and pull out those woolen sweaters and socks, those down coats, hats and gloves that have been stowed away in the back of the cellar for the past eight months.  

And wouldn't it be nice to spice up that wintery uniform with some creative designer fun? The glover, Thomasine Barnekow (link) has a lovely collection of gloves in delightful colors and a variety of styles to help you keep the chic on Paris streets this season.

A selection of gloves designed by Thomasine Barnekow. See her website for more examples

Born and raised in Sweden, Thomasine has called Paris her home for the past few years. You may have seen her creations recently at Printemps or in the ballet Sous Apparence last November.

On December 13, Sweden's luminous holiday honoring Saint Lucia, the Manufacture Prelle is hosting a special private sale in their showroom on the prestigious Place des Victoires.

Come try on and fall in love with Thomasine's creations, enjoy some Swedish pastries, and discover Prelle's new exhibition : Le japonisme dans les soieries lyonnaises link (I'll write more on this event later).

Hope to see you there!

-CSL

Thomasine Barnekow at the Manufacture Prelle

Thursday, December 13, 2012

10am - 7pm

At the Prelle showroom:

5 Place des Victoires

Paris 1er

tel 01 42 36 67 21

email paris @ prelle.com

Exhibition Japonisme et exotismes dans les soieries lyonnaises

November 29, 2012 - March 29, 2013

Monday through Thursday : 9am - 6pm

Friday : 9am - 5pm