Description
A charming and ebullient print that’s part of Greeff’s “Country Manor Collection” of the 1960s, this piece, “Breton Stripe” 1966, # 53831 in the archive, originally made me think of the ubiquitous nautical Breton stripe shirts first made famous by Coco Chanel in the early 20th century. But this print isn’t a horizontal navy and white from the sailing world. So what could it be? Its own copyright aptly describes it as a, “columnar floral motif.” And in fact those motifs appear more Germanic folk in style than French seafaring. Still, it is likely connected to France and is an homage to (or extant designs were found within) the 15th century Breton Manor House in Brittany near St. Tugen’s Beach (former Gaul region). A great piece for creating a striking focal point in some interior or a small garment like a bag or the panel of a jacket. The colors would also work applied to a Christmas project.
FIBER: 54% linen and 46% cotton (reads as linen) with a heavier hand, light drape. Serigraph on fabric. Made in England.
SIZE: 24″ wide + 1″ left selvedge x 42″ long.
COLOR: Greeff called it “olive and red” and that’s about right! The white is more a natural sort of off-white or cream. All the colors are vivid and the motif striking.
CONDITION: Excellent!
“…we have never looked upon ourselves as ‘dealers in textiles.’ We regard textiles simply as one means of artistic expression…” — Theodore Greeff, President, Greeff Fabrics, Inc.
MAKER: Greeff Fabrics, Inc was founded in the US by Theodore Greeff in 1933 to make a wide range of mostly traditional style interior fabrics and wallcoverings, grouped in collections, for high-end interior designers. Jackson’s book points to Marion Dorn, John Little, Dan Rasmassen, and Dagmar Wilson as key designers from the 1940s and after.
