Ramoneur Print
1780s

This rare fabric is French from Alsace region called ramoneur (chimney sweep) meaning a dark background. Known in the Netherlands as nacht grond sits (night background chintz) hand block printed with groups of naturalistic flowers and exotic motifs inspired by Indian chintz and chinoiserie. They were Imported in vast quantities at the end of the 18th and early 19th century. The once thriving early Dutch textile printing industry had fallen into decline by the mid 18th century due to cheaper imported printed textiles. At this period Napololeon had invaded the Netherlands and limited import goods solely from France.

These early fashionable fabrics eventually became treasured by the Dutch rural communities, particularl in Marken, and became part of their regional dress. The second hand market saw worn items of such textiles recycled into smaller items of regional dress such as bonnets, partlets/yokes and skirt and apron tops. Their dark background was suitable for mourning dress. These pieces Bauwen were pinned to a woman's front bodice, an ornamental rectangle or plastron and worn by a woman from Marken, a fishing community.

The green was achieved by painting (pencilling) yellow dye over blue. Green dyes at this period were fugitive. The fabric was glazed to repel dust.

Description

Each piece is hand block printed with attractive colours with sprays of flowers, on a dark brown magnesium ground, the green achieved by pencilling, highly glazed.

c -  blue, green, yellow, buff, purple, pink and red on dark brown ground, glazed. 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 in; 32 x 24 cm

Condition

Excellent condition.