Toiles de Jouy [Hardcover]

Judith Straeten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 2002

For lovers of French decorating, this book reproduces some of the earliest toile designs from 18th-century France. Delicate flower prints, fun animal motifs, rich historic scenes, and complex architectural patterns are just some of the subjects reproduced here in rich color. The patterns in Toiles de Jouy are reproduced from an antiquarian book containing 50 plates of French toile fabric and wallpaper patterns. The range of colors is astounding and illustrates that toiles aren't always simply one color on a neutral ground. Some of the most fascinating were designed originally in multiple colors. A new introduction and stories about the toile patterns give decorators, home designers and Francophiles information about toiles that they've never seen before. (20020901)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Toile de Jouy" referred originally to cloth modeled on Indian chintzes and manufactured by Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf in Jouy-en-Jonas, south of Paris, beginning in 1760. Now the term refers to a whole genre of fabrics descended from that origin and produced internationally. Steadily popular since Oberkampf's day, toiles are charming, decorative, intriguing, and unpretentious. Most are still printed on cotton in one strong color on a paler ground, although multiple colors are occasionally seen. The author of this survey, archivist of antique fabrics at Brunschwig & Fils in New York, has selected 67 examples from an early 19th-century sample book and shown them all in color photographs. (She also provides a "Resources" section listing Brunschwig, of course, as well as 47 other retail and to-the-trade toile sources, mostly in the U.S.) Patterns are grouped by subject matter: country scenes, classical and mythological scenes, and various florals. Of particular historical interest, a toile designed by Jean-Baptiste Huet in 1784 shows the buildings, workers, and activities of Oberkampf's factory. (Stanley Abercrombie Interior Design Magazine )

From the Publisher

From an antique book of printed samples, the patterns featured in this edition are authentic designs from the Manufacture Royale de Jouy in Jouy-en-Josas. Hence, the name "toiles de Jouy" (being a French pattern printed usually in one color on a light ground; later in three and four colors).

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith, Publisher; 1 edition (August 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158685156X
• ISBN-13: 978-1586851569
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #945,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Joyful Toiles, November 19, 2007

By 

Leah M. Brown "Leah Marie Brown, Author" (Mentally in Paris, France) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Toiles de Jouy (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my mother, who is a textile fanatic and bonafide lover of toiles de jouy. This book offers 50 plates of French toile fabric and wallpaper designs. I love toile as well, so I, quite naturally, flipped through the book before giving it to my mom. It was wonderful to look at the historical patterns. I would have been a little happier if more information would have been provided about each pattern. For instance, I would have liked to have known more about who created each pattern, any famous personage who purchased the pattern featured, where I might find more historic samples of toile.

It's a lovely gift and well worth the money, though. I recommend it with four stars.