L'Afrique
Furnishing Fabric
1925-1928 (made)
1925-1928 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Robert Bonfils (1886-1972) designed this woven silk furnishing fabric called 'L'Afrique' for Bianchini-Férier between 1925 and 1928. Bonfils was also a graphic artist. This design shows the interest of the time in exoticism. 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.
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 | |
| Title | L'Afrique (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Woven silk |
| Brief description | Furnishing fabric 'L'Afrique' of silk, designed by Robert Bonfils, made by Bianchini-Férier, Lyon, French, 1925-1928. |
| Physical description | Furnishing fabric of silk. The ground is dark blue with a repeating pattern of large blooms, including lilies, in shades of green, yellow and blue outlined and detailed in dark blue. There are smaller peony-like flowerheads in yellow and blue with blue centres. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Summary | Robert Bonfils (1886-1972) designed this woven silk furnishing fabric called 'L'Afrique' for Bianchini-Férier between 1925 and 1928. Bonfils was also a graphic artist. This design shows the interest of the time in exoticism. 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 25.
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.170-1932 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | August 14, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
