European Carpets by Michele Campana hits the £1 shelf in my shop.
Hamlyn, 1969, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Illustrated by way of: Colour Photographs; From the cover: In this introduction to the history of European carpets Michele Campana admits their indisputable Eastern origin. It was the peoples of the East who revealed to the West the physical, aesthetic and intellectual pleasure occasioned by the presence of carpets. Pleasure for the feet as they move silently and softly over a beautiful fabric; pleasure for the eye, which enjoys the effect of colour and design; and pleasure for the mind, which can follow the thoughts and fantasies suggested by pattern, figure and theme.
The author surveys the major centres of carpet production since the Middle Ages in England, France, Spain and Portugal, explaining the different methods of weaving and their sources, and tracing the evolution of national styles against the social background of the day. In England, for instance, the long-established art of embroidery influenced the design and production of fine needlework carpets in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is a far cry from the intricate Arab-inspired patterns of Medieval Spanish carpets to the full-blown floral designs popular in the 18th century, but as we can see from the generous illustrations, the European carpet eventually emerges in its own right, culminating in the two great families of French carpets, Savonnerie and Aubusson.
Very Good in Good Dust Wrapper. Dust wrapper a little wrinkled at the edges. Price Clipped. Previous owners’ inscription to the first blank.
Grey boards with Silver titling to the Spine.
158 pages. Index. 7¾” x 5½”.
This book will be listed, sooner or later, for £6.50 on my delightful website… but get 50% off buying from my blog… below…
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