French Antique Textiles: Collections Made and Imported by Mulhouse, Toiles de Jouy and Souleiado

In the late 17th century, Europeans enjoyed a boom of imported Indian textiles. Chintz was first used for interior fabrics such as curtains and bed covers, and later people gradually began incorporating Indian chintz into the latest fashions. In some places in France, producers learned the process of making these beautiful printed textiles, eventually adding original patterns and becoming domestic production hubs themselves.

This book reveals the beauty of French antique textiles by showcasing many patterns from three museums: Toiles de Jouy, Mulhouse and Souleiado. Most patterns in this book were produced in the early era of production in France, but some are selected from the latest collections available today. Readers can discover the transition of beautiful printed textiles from East to West as well as from the 17th century to today.