Teheran thumbnail 1

Teheran

Furnishing Fabric
1923 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Robert Bonfils (1886-1972) designed this woven silk furnishing fabric called ‘Teheran’ for Bianchini-Férier about 1931. Bonfils was also a graphic artist. Many Art Deco designers adapted typical 18th century textile motifs, such as sprays of flowers, by simplifying and flattening them into modern forms. The silk manufacturers Bianchini-Férier were known for their innovative and lively fabrics in bright colours. Lyon was famous for its silk industry, which had flourished since the 1500s. It was a major producer of luxury goods for a worldwide market. This was an era when the French government actively promoted this sector, since they sought to establish French design as the foremost in Europe.

In 1909 Charles Bianchini, one of the partners in the firm, had visited Vienna, a leading city for textile design. He subsequently established an office in Paris. This enabled him to cultivate good relations with the top Parisian couturiers, such as Lanvin, Patou and Poiret, who all bought dress fabrics from him. He also employed chic illustrators such as Paul Iribe (1883-1935), Charles Martin (1848-1934) and Georges Barbier (1882-1932) to design textiles for the firm.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleTeheran (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Jacquard-woven rayon weft on a printed silk [chine] warp.
Brief description
Woven silk, French, 1925-28.
Physical description
Furnishing fabric, jacquard-woven rayon weft on a printed silk [chine] warp. The design features stylised arrangements of flowqers interlaced with knotted silk swags.
Dimensions
  • Length: 140cm
  • Width: 95cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Design Number 52241
Credit line
Given by Mrs Margaret H. Armitage (née Bulley)
Production
Put into production on 7th May 1923
Subject depicted
Summary
Robert Bonfils (1886-1972) designed this woven silk furnishing fabric called ‘Teheran’ for Bianchini-Férier about 1931. Bonfils was also a graphic artist. Many Art Deco designers adapted typical 18th century textile motifs, such as sprays of flowers, by simplifying and flattening them into modern forms. The silk manufacturers Bianchini-Férier were known for their innovative and lively fabrics in bright colours. Lyon was famous for its silk industry, which had flourished since the 1500s. It was a major producer of luxury goods for a worldwide market. This was an era when the French government actively promoted this sector, since they sought to establish French design as the foremost in Europe.

In 1909 Charles Bianchini, one of the partners in the firm, had visited Vienna, a leading city for textile design. He subsequently established an office in Paris. This enabled him to cultivate good relations with the top Parisian couturiers, such as Lanvin, Patou and Poiret, who all bought dress fabrics from him. He also employed chic illustrators such as Paul Iribe (1883-1935), Charles Martin (1848-1934) and Georges Barbier (1882-1932) to design textiles for the firm.
Bibliographic reference
Samuels, Charlotte. Art Deco Textiles. London : V&A Publications, 2003. Plate 24.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.2:36-1934

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Record createdAugust 14, 2002
Record URL
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