European Christmas Market Tour Including Dutch Quilts

Tuesday, August 5, 2007

(Judy Anne's note - Deb Roberts leads wonderful textile and quilt excursions to distant places and below is her announcement about her upcoming tour. Even if you can only dream of going be sure to visit her site.)

Have you ever considered how infrequently we hear about early Dutch quiltmaking? Recently, I google'd the terms "antique Dutch quilts" and very little information is available in comparison to early British or American quilts. The usual return is on PA Dutch quilts - all incredibly wonderful but have a depth of research behind them. I re-considered An Moonen's presentation at AQSG in CT 2006, recalled how interesting the quilts were, the symmetry and the differentiation of piecing styles from any other I had seen. Yet today, I wonder if I were to see a Dutch quilt in a shop - would I recognize it for its uniqueness and historic value.

Records show that the Dutch were high volume purchasers of Indian Chintz, their clothing and home decor in the 18th and 19th centuries reflect the frequent use of these fabrics prepared in India solely for the Dutch Market. As with the rest of the world - the Indian painters and printers had specific regional orders for colors and preferred styles. For example in France the Indian chintz styles are a contrast to those of the Dutch and English, and widely differ from those sent to the East. The subject of early Indian Chintz intrigues me as these early tradesmen were highly skilled artisans.

In December of this year I am taking a group of like minded enthusiasts to an incredible antique Dutch quilt exhibit at the Fries Museum in the Netherlands. Many of the quilts are on loan to the museum from other museums and private collectors as this exhibit is to be the best of the best of the Dutch Quilts. In addition, the group will have an unprecedented opportunity for comparative study of chintz as we will also be going to Mulhouse, France to see an exceptional early Indian painted and printed chintz exhibit. Here, the chintzes on display will include pieces that were procured by the French textile manufactures to copy in order to make their own Indiennes. BUT, it is even more exciting that the French East India Company has loaned pieces to the exhibit from their own archives, which apparently has been kept since their founding. I cannot imagine that these pieces are seen very often, if at all.

On this tour we will have the opportunity to learn more about Dutch and Anglo-European quilt history and how it has played a factor in the development of our own quilt heritage. Throughout the 10 day journey we will be making stops at museums where curators will open the doors to their archives for us to have insider views of items not generally seen by the public. In Mulhouse of course, not only will we be seeing the chintz exhibit, but further study time is arranged for those wishing independent research opportunities in their library of over 3,000,000 printed fabric samples from the early 1700s on. Personally, I have seen several fabrics in this museum which have allowed me to further document my own quilt and fabric collection.

I realize that early December (1-11) is not an easy time to get away, however that is when these exhibits are planned and the fact that they are at the same time could not be better for those who are traveling. However, this is also the season for the traditional outdoor European Christmas Markets - and plenty of time is allowed for us to experience this cultural tradition that has withstood the generations.

I would love to have you join me on this tour, and share this incredible study opportunity. Please review the full itinerary and additional information at HTTP://worldofquiltstravel.com/Christmas.htm - if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Kind Regards,
Deb Roberts