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Royal silks

Visit of an establishment founded in the Sun King's time
Historic silks

 

This company, known to decorators for producing modern silks on 18th-century patterns, has kept huge yardages from orders for Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Marie-Antoinette, Napoleon – and even JFK.

 

The gold piece was made for the Sun King's throne room. Jackie Kennedy ordered the blue one for the White House, though her husband said that the crown on the eagle's head must go.

 

 
  • In a museum these works would be kept under glass...

 

 

How the silks are stored: a New Year's card from the establsihment

 

...but here, because such visits almost never happen, they are passed around and examined. The reverse side is almost as beautiful as the right one.

 

 

 

The Director explain the technique, and we explain the evolution in European taste that these "documents" reveal.
  • Visitors may also discover the modern copies for which the company is known

 

    •  Nearby

     

    The establishment is in the heart of the Right Bank and this relatively short visit can combine with Opéra,  Workshops for haute couture,  Couture in an unexpected neighborhood and  Shopping that only Paris can offer,  

     

    And of course, Walking into history - & neighborhoods, whose tours concern the central part of the city.

     

     

    • Practical aspects

    ° Visit, about 45 minutes

    ° For groups (up to 15 participants) or highly-motivated individuals

     

    • Costs: Please ask us.

     

     

    Credits: spread-out silks / Claude Abron; folded silks / greeting card from the establishment