Vintage Treasure to Upcycle?

Place du Tertre by P E Cambier

During the weekend I was looking out for some French illustrations to use for a journal I was creating by upcycling a hard backed book.  I am finding all things vintage Parisienne to be interesting at the moment the colours of the macarons at La Maison Laduree  in Paris, the Eiffel Tower the design of the exterior and indeed the glass of the interior of Au Printemps on BD Haussmann in Paris.  I wanted something typically French to give the journal exterior some vintage style.

I found two watercolours one of La Place du Tertre and one of Notre Dame in pencil the artist had written the locations and someone had written on the back April 1970, perfect! just what I was looking for.  The watercolours were too large, but I thought I could do some cutting to make them fit.

When I returned home I looked closely at the artists signature on the front of the paintings and also on the back where it was signed again and aquarelle original written.  P E Cambier it was time to Google! 

Pierre Eugene Cambier (1914- 2000)

His preferred medium was watercolour and he captured the light, vibrancy and atmosphere of France and in particular Paris.  He exhibited in Paris in 1948 at the Salon des Independents and afterwards not only in Paris but London and Amsterdam. 

Pierre Cambier continued to work in Paris and also taught drawing and illustration until his death in 2000.  It seems like there are a number of modern collectors who think his watercolours are worth owning I would agree with that.

So it is with a huge sigh of relief that I did not slice up the two watercolours to upcycle a journal, it would have been a beautiful journal but a huge waste of two lovely originals.

A lesson learned act in haste and repent at leisure.  Buy objects to upcycle but bring them home research them if that is possible or look at them several times before deciding how to use them.   


  

Heal's Bark Cloth Pomona - what next?

After my first phone call to the V&A  about the Heal's Pomona barkcloth fabric designed by Jyoti Bhomik, I was delighted when they phoned back.

I learned that Heals had sent their archive to the V&A and it is available for the public to view.   During the last few weeks since discovering the fabric I have also found a beautiful silk square this is from Liberty of London  I think it is quite possible that this square was purchased during the same visit in 1967.

The archive at Liberty of London is from what I can gather enormous, however, it is not all available for the public to view.

I am hoping to be able to visit London in the next month to complete my research on these two items.  This is largely for my own satisfaction, however,I am hoping to discover something really exciting about the Jyoti Bhomik design.  I am of the opinion that the Pomona barkcloth may be quite rare! I am so glad I did not decide to take the scissors to it and make it into door stops or something mundane, it deserves more than that.

Vintage Heals Bark Cloth Fabric 1976 Designed by Jyoti Bhomik

Pomona Fabric Designer Jyoti Bhomik

Some weeks ago I opened a vintage suitcase that had been stored in my mothers attic since the 1970's.

I could not remember what was in the case as it had languished under my stairs for ages but I knew it had fabric inside.  I was pleasantly surprised to find some Heal's bark cloth which has not been touched since our return from a London trip in the summer of 1967.  I only dimly remember staying at a funny B&B where you had to be out of your room all day!

The edge of the fabric is marked "Heals Pomona Designed by Jyoti Bhomik Shrink Resisting Woven and Printed in England"  I decided to embark upon a research task to find out about the designer and the pattern.

Easy?  Just Google it!

I found on Heal's own website some useful information about the designer.  He was born in India, trained as a graphic designer and worked as a technician in the silk printing department of the Central School for Art and Design and designed exclusively for Heal's in the 1960's  Heal's are using some of his design elements in bed linen available now, which shows how well the designs relate to today's living.

I also found some information on the website of the  V&A Museum.  They have some of the Jyoti Bhomik fabric in their collection which was given to them by Heal's.  However no trace of the design Pomona.

As you may well imagine I am quite excited by this.  Does this mean the few yards I have are rare?

I have phoned the V&A to see if they can help me with my research and I am waiting for them to call me back.  I might also try Heal's as they may well have an archive I can access.

I think the fabric is gorgeous and it would look fabulous made into modern soft furnishings.  It will not be folded up and put back into the suitcase to be stored in the attic, its something that should be enjoyed and appreciated.

I wonder when Jyoti Bhomik designed the piece if he could have know that nearly fifty years later it would look just as fresh for todays living spaces.

If you have any comments or information about this fabric then get in touch would love to hear from you.

This item published originally on my Wordpress blog in October 2013