Description

 

This listing is “BY YARD”  

Total Available:

6864001	34.88
6368002	4.00

Total yards available: please see photo (sometimes in several bolts).

This unique hand print from France was designed by Grey Watkins who often take inspiration from literature, nature and mythology.  Desiree is very likely referring to the

Désirée Clary, the later Queen of Sweden.  She was the first fiancee of he young Napoleon.  Her sister was engaged to and married Napoleon’s brother.  You can see Napoleon courting her, while she and her sister remained close for life. See last image.

Born into a textile merchant family, she was not aristocratic and was not interested in politics, power nor court life, yet both and sometimes, many sides tried to use her for influence and connection, perhaps due to her beauty but also a good heart.

Her husband was elected to be the head of Sweden thus her Queenship was also given by voters.

In later age, when her daughter-in-law Queen Josephine tried to convince her to reduce her court of her own free will, saying that she no longer needed such a big court as a queen mother, she answered “It is true that I no longer need them all, but all of them still need me.”^[6] She was a considerate and well-liked employer among her staff.

Her charity was considerable but took place in silence”.  One example was that she supported poor upper-class women by giving them sewing work. The same year she became a widow, she was described by the French diplomat Bacourt: “Royalty has not altered her — unfortunately, for the reputation of the Crown. She has always been and will always remain an ordinary merchant woman, surprised over her position, and surprising to find upon a throne.”^[6] He also added that she was a goodhearted woman.  Doesn’t this somewhat summarize the spirit of entrepreneurial, down to earth, refined yet egalitarian Scandinavian culture?

Width 53″+selvedge

HR26.5″, VR 31.5″

Country of Origin: France

Weight: medium. About 0.5lb/yard.

MSRP $200++/yard. Hand print France now retails for $300+/yard.

Content: cotton or cotton and linen blend.

Fiber, repeat, width, weight, country of origin, retail price/yard: 

Please see photos.

Note the retail price/yard sometimes are from a few years ago, 

current price or for similar textile can be 10-30% higher