The last piece I have from this exceptional group of sheets is probably the best of all. Two of this group had to go into my personal collection, which is not extensive but is very carefully curated to showcase the best of antique hemp textile, as one day I intend to write about it in a long format and need these pieces as references. Hemp is my absolute most favourite textile ever, and this rates as one of the top five hemp sheets I have found in almost a decade of sourcing antique French textiles, with a particular focus on 19th century hemp.
This piece is made from two panels of entirely handspun and handwoven hemp, handstitched together with hemp thread, with an exquisite rolled hem. As you look along the sheet you can see the variations in the colour of the hemp, which shows up as nascent stripes and rays in the weave. This sheet has almost certainly never been used or washed. It is a beautiful soft warm colour. It is quite stiff, the way new hemp is, but will soften with use, wear and washing. And it will see you out and if you will it to your heirs, it will probably see them out too.
I haven’t washed this one. Wherever it has been stored for all these years, at least 120 of them, it has been kept clean and dry. There is an almost-unnoticeable mark in one part of the sheet which I think will come out with a good wash, but I wanted its new owner to experience what fresh hemp feels like - because this is as new as the day it was made, sometime in the 19th century. It measures 193×269cm. It is sold on the proviso that you do not cut it up or dye it - the spirits of its makers will haunt you if you do, as nothing you could possibly do to this sheet would improve it and cutting it would be vandalism (sorry to have to say this, but it’s true!).
To purchase, please message me via the contact form and please include the title of the listing as it doesn’t automatically transfer with the message.
The last piece I have from this exceptional group of sheets is probably the best of all. Two of this group had to go into my personal collection, which is not extensive but is very carefully curated to showcase the best of antique hemp textile, as one day I intend to write about it in a long format and need these pieces as references. Hemp is my absolute most favourite textile ever, and this rates as one of the top five hemp sheets I have found in almost a decade of sourcing antique French textiles, with a particular focus on 19th century hemp.
This piece is made from two panels of entirely handspun and handwoven hemp, handstitched together with hemp thread, with an exquisite rolled hem. As you look along the sheet you can see the variations in the colour of the hemp, which shows up as nascent stripes and rays in the weave. This sheet has almost certainly never been used or washed. It is a beautiful soft warm colour. It is quite stiff, the way new hemp is, but will soften with use, wear and washing. And it will see you out and if you will it to your heirs, it will probably see them out too.
I haven’t washed this one. Wherever it has been stored for all these years, at least 120 of them, it has been kept clean and dry. There is an almost-unnoticeable mark in one part of the sheet which I think will come out with a good wash, but I wanted its new owner to experience what fresh hemp feels like - because this is as new as the day it was made, sometime in the 19th century. It measures 193×269cm. It is sold on the proviso that you do not cut it up or dye it - the spirits of its makers will haunt you if you do, as nothing you could possibly do to this sheet would improve it and cutting it would be vandalism (sorry to have to say this, but it’s true!).
To purchase, please message me via the contact form and please include the title of the listing as it doesn’t automatically transfer with the message.
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