Description
RARE! Incredible piece!
This Piece: This standout 1960s piece by S. M. Hexter Company (#35700) offers four distinct etched vignettes of The Four Seasons, 1635, by Abraham Bosse (French, 1602-1676). Screen printed on 100% cotton in crisp black on creamy off white. These would make four AMAZING pillow fronts (or framed as panels) that would show off well together in maximalist home decor or in a shop as an ensemble for sale.
Le Printemps depicts a couple in courtship with a palatial landscape behind.
L’este depicts a marriage ceremony and couples talking and gazing upon village life.
L’avtone depicts a sumptuous feast under grape vines devolving into raucous play and the effects of Bacchus.
L’hyver depicts a family gathered close around a roaring fire inside a well-appointed hall as children eat and servants assist.
Each has so many rich interior and architectural details defining the spaces of the vignettes.
SIZE: 47″ wide x 36.5″ long. Each motif is 23″ wide by 18″ long.
CONDITION: Superior! The nature of this as a sample does mean that both the top and the bottom of the entire piece is cut rather close. For pillows, or framing them as art, I don’t see this as a problem as the entire words still show for the bottom two — Le Printemps and L’este — and the architectural border at the top is in tact to that border. Small adjustments around each piece will allow you to create a cohesive look with each vignette.
On Abraham Bosse, according to Wikipedia, “Roughly 1600 etchings are attributed to him, with subjects including: daily life, religion, literature, fashion, technology, and science.[1] Most of his output was illustrations for books, but many were also sold separately.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Bosse
Maker: S. M. Hexter Company was founded in Columbus, Ohio likely in the early 20th century but possibly having grown out of other textile and clothier businesses by earlier members of the Hexter family. While little is available online about this company, it’s clear that they had a strong influence in the high-end 20th century American upholstery textiles market though they weren’t without controversy, having been challenged in court over allegations of unfair business practices. Several S. M. Hexter Company pieces were in former exhibits/permanent collections at MoMa and the Cooper Hewitt Museum.
Why High-End Vintage Fabric Samples? Because the large over size sample and superior manufacturing quality make it possible to access a very high-end fabric for a smaller scale project without the high cost of these classic vintage fabrics, which often begin at over $150 a yard, if they can still be found at all. Other reasons are to access a small amount of discontinued fabric to match or to repair an existing piece in your home.
SUSTAINABILITY: ALL my packaging except tape is 100% re-used. Your invoice is available digitally in your account. I source vintage items and resources either as they are, or to upcycle into new products, giving them a new life. This reduces demand on current resources, preserves history, and keeps valuable items out of the landfill, all of which asks just a little bit less out of our ever-giving Mother Earth. Etsy buys carbon offsets for all shipping, which is a win-win for the sustainability-minded shopper.
Everything from a smoke-free and pet-free studio.
