A magnificent example of an authentic 19th century French pique matelasse coverlet! This extra large antique bedcover is equally beautiful on both sides, the one featuring an array of exotic birds and leafy foliage in a deep aubergine tone on a warm, cream colored ground, and the other showing an overall indienne-style floral motif in lovely raspberry tones also on a cream ground. Entirely stitched by hand (see close-ups) the quilting throughout the center is a criss-crossed diamond pattern while the border is marked by ten inches of alternating straight and curvilinear channels creating a frame around the coverlet. As looms of the period were much smaller than those used today, each side is in fact fashioned from three parallel lengths of hand/block printed cotton fabric, in total making for a remarkable quantity of these gorgeous antique textiles which have retained their solidity and vibrancy of color! Rare not only for its size and beauty but also for its condition, this quilt has had exceedingly little wear. The edges, all minutely hand stitched, are solid and show only one defect in the fabric - a one inch round hole right next to the border on the red/cream side. As the hole touches only the cream colored part of the fabric (and not the red) this would be relatively easy to patch as well as to camouflage. Otherwise, this same face shows several pale tea-colored aureoles that are relatively difficult to see when the quilt is laid out due to the complexity of the pattern. The aubergine face is practically perfect, showing only a very small spot in two places, again relatively invisible! Truly a stunning piece just bursting with French Provincial charm, this lovely coverlet will dress up any room! Dimensions: 91.5 x 90in.
PRICE:
SOLD (complimentary delivery)
ITEM: 3085