This very important decor of a Chambre de Parade has been recreated in the spirit of the 17th century –  identical reproduction of all the ancient elements missing on the walls, rythmed by pilasters embroidered with antique gold metallic thread, pleated ribbon, and galon. The metal-wrapped thread is worked in relief with a needle on a cotton linter, mat and shining effects  are obtained through alternating ‘brick stitch’ and couching, to emphasize the impression of relief.

 

The headrest is composed of acanthus and polychromatic grotesques embroidered with woolen, silk and cotton threads, sustained by antique gold metallic thread embroidered elements echoing the pilasters.

This work demonstrates the importance given to embroidery in historical decoration. Synonymous of luxury, embroidery was giving life to walls hung with magnificent brocades and underlined the specific character of every decor, adding to it ever more grandeur.

 

Copyright: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte private collection.

 

 

Reinvented decor – and quite plausible – Flemish embroidery made of 69 colours of wool and cotton. Needlework restoration for a part of the piece, identical reproduction for the missing panels.

 

Special dyes have been applied to suit the patina of time on this decor of flowers and acanthus which required more than 25000 hours of work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

126 years after its creation, with the tenuous base of old photos provided by the staff of the Opera,  the whole decor made of valance for the princely box, the adjacent boxes and for the stage curtain had to be redesigned.

The embroidered decor draws its strength of the very thick relief stemming, covered with a needlework of antique gold metallic thread, which stands out clearly from the ground of red velvet.

Every design has been underlined by a tone on tone embroidered shadow, to accentuate even more the impression of relief.

 

We have taken great care in minutiously reproducing the techniques employed under Napoleon III, using the brick stitch for the grounds and hemming the ‘tint areas’ with embroidered rounded zones to obtain relief.

This exciting work has been achieved in a very short time making any in situ trial impossible.

 

There must be a god of embroiderers for, in the end, the whole decor fitted perfectly the architectural compartments.

 

Here again, what a pleasure it has been to restitute with authenticity the context of the opening day.