I have a few sheets from this same household which all have the same initials, but this particular sheet is an unusual puzzle. A centre-stitched handwoven peasant sheet, it nevertheless has a texture and a subtle striped weave which indicates that it is not quite what it seems. Further inspection points to this one being made with loosely handspun cotton - although I am not quite sure how or why. The weave shows the deep oatmeal colour of fresh hemp, and there are flecks of stalk waste here and there. This sheet is very little used, and yet in areas there are small bobbles, indicating that a shorter staple fibre was used, or that the yarn was not so tightly spun. I have a feeling that this sheet might have been the last in a series made - ie the two panels that make up this sheet were from the end of a length of handwoven fabric, and it is entirely possible that at this point the weaver began to run out of their original pure hemp yarn and started adding cotton fibre into the mix. The question is, from where did the cotton fibre come from and how was it procured unspun? All cotton coming into France at this period was either from France’s colonies in West and North Africa and Asia, or from the American cotton industry. It’s a mystery.
But a very beautiful sheet, and this one would make an especially wonderful bedcover or light blanket. The stripes in the weave, caused by the use of contrasting batches of yarn, are especially pronounced in this sheet. It is in excellent condition. It measures 203×239cm.
Please click on the photos to open them up full-sized.
To purchase, please contact me and please include the title of this listing so I know what you are referring to as it doesn’t transfer automatically.
I have a few sheets from this same household which all have the same initials, but this particular sheet is an unusual puzzle. A centre-stitched handwoven peasant sheet, it nevertheless has a texture and a subtle striped weave which indicates that it is not quite what it seems. Further inspection points to this one being made with loosely handspun cotton - although I am not quite sure how or why. The weave shows the deep oatmeal colour of fresh hemp, and there are flecks of stalk waste here and there. This sheet is very little used, and yet in areas there are small bobbles, indicating that a shorter staple fibre was used, or that the yarn was not so tightly spun. I have a feeling that this sheet might have been the last in a series made - ie the two panels that make up this sheet were from the end of a length of handwoven fabric, and it is entirely possible that at this point the weaver began to run out of their original pure hemp yarn and started adding cotton fibre into the mix. The question is, from where did the cotton fibre come from and how was it procured unspun? All cotton coming into France at this period was either from France’s colonies in West and North Africa and Asia, or from the American cotton industry. It’s a mystery.
But a very beautiful sheet, and this one would make an especially wonderful bedcover or light blanket. The stripes in the weave, caused by the use of contrasting batches of yarn, are especially pronounced in this sheet. It is in excellent condition. It measures 203×239cm.
Please click on the photos to open them up full-sized.
To purchase, please contact me and please include the title of this listing so I know what you are referring to as it doesn’t transfer automatically.
