PRESS RELEASE / ANJOLIE EMBROIDERIES, VENICE, CALDECOTE WEAVES, DUNBARRA & TRIMMINGS IV / SEPTEMBER 2008

Liz Cann introduces the Zoffany Autumn 2008 Collections…

Our Autumn collections recall a time when exploration and trade between Europe and the Middle East was at its most fruitful. From the mid-18th to late 19th century, progress in travel to far flung countries brought about a vibrant fusion of Oriental and Venetian influences. As artists were naturally drawn to these foreign and mysterious lands, reactions to these striking, dramatic landscapes and cultures became ever more apparent in their work.

The Silk Road, an interconnected series of ancient trade routes, stretched from Asia through the middle and Near East into Europe and linked all manner of traders, merchants and travellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea. An essential catalyst to cultural interaction, it brought with it new influences in design, helping to lay the foundation for the modern world. This mixing of different cultures resulted in a rich and colourful era in textiles and décor. Lavish and eclectic interiors were in abundance as travellers bought back mementos such as colourful suzanis, embroideries, rugs and Persian silk damasks from their exotic destinations.

With a nod to this age-old lure of the east, the Zoffany collections combine oriental and classic European design; sumptuous silks and tribal embroideries are mixed with small scale linen weaves and textural plains. A fabulous range of trimmings in over twenty jewel-like colour sets are the perfect complement to the fabric collections.

The Collections

ANJOLIE

A decoratively patterned, richly coloured collection of appliqués, embroideries and oven jacquards inspired by hand-made textiles from the Near, Middle and Far East. The designs and colours have been adapted for contemporary interiors and are mostly suitable for curtains, cushions and bedcovers.

Pamirs, an embroidered linen union with a stylised floral and leaf pattern is taken from a 19th century Uzbekistan suzani dating from the 1880’s. The motifs are applied onto a crisp linen union that is also available as a matching plain and is available in three colours.

A decorative and richly coloured design with exotic flowers in a trailing pattern, Anjolie is reminiscent of Indian palampour prints. It is embroidered on a pure linen ground and available in four colourways. 

Khiva, a beautiful natural linen with an embroidered classic lotus flower motif, has been adapted from an 18th century Indian batik print. It is available in three colourways.

Elina is an elegant single colour trail with directionally stitched embroidery. This technique creates a faceted effect; the light catches the different plains of the motifs giving a luminous richness against the linen ground. It is available in four colourways.

Adapted from a traditional, hand embroidered textile originating from the Near East, Suzani is a beautiful, exotic pattern depicts pomegranates and carnations in rich contemporary tones. The design is suitable for upholstery as well as curtains and is available in three colourways.

A stunning combination of print and embroidery, Orissan is bold panel design inspired by the hand-crafted textiles of Central Asia. It is embroidered in three colourways on a cotton ground.

VENICE

A collection of five luxurious designs comprising luxurious damasks, silk chenilles and satin stripes. Influenced by the sophistication of European destinations that formed the route of the Grand Tour, they provide a dramatic backdrop to 21st century interiors.

A grand traditional damask woven on a silk warp, Venice has a soft washed finish to create an antique look and handle and is available in five colourways.

Tarriq is woven with a ‘Cupro’ silk warp and a fabulous silk/linen twisted weft to give a contrast of sheen and texture. The design is a classic, medium scale Byzantium damask and is available in five colourways

Persian Tulip is a stunning, modern interpretation of a traditional Persian motif from the 17th century. An interpretation of this design was used by Fortuny at the beginning of the 19th century for a silk velvet. It is woven on a silk warp with chenille motif in four jewel-like colours.

At once classic and contemporary, Bohemia is a versatile wide stripe with a ‘pinked’ edge woven in a fine cotton satin quality. It is available in eight colourways and can be used for both curtains and upholstery.

Ocelot is a timeless animal skin design woven in a tactile linen quality in four colourways. It is suitable for curtains and upholstery.

CALDECOTE

A collection of five small-scale woven jacquards and stripes for upholstery and curtains. The designs are all adapted from fabrics and documents housed in the Zoffany archive woven and are woven in a mix of linen, cotton and viscose to give an English country house feel.

Nine colour sets complement the larger scale designs in the Autumn launch, with the introduction of some stunning new combinations inspired by late 18th century French weaves such as mimosa yellow with charcoal and empire green with raspberry.

Caldecote features an embroidered effect paisley motif on a rustic linen ground, whilst Oakham depicts a leaf motif in a similar quality. Both designs are woven in five colours. Burghley is a narrow stripe design enhanced with a dot, woven on a linen/viscose satin warp with linen weft, available in eleven colours. Completing the collection, Haultwick is a charming trail of small clover leaves woven in nine colours. 

DUNBARRA

These two hard-wearing quality linen and chenille weaves have a soft luxurious touch. They are suitable for contract upholstery but drape well enough to be used for heavy curtains or hangings. The comprehensive colour range includes a selection of soft neutrals, classic reds and greens and some exciting contemporary combinations.

A smart two-tone basket weave, Dunbarra has a hint of lustre woven through in one of the yarns to give a sophisticated edge. It comes in thirteen colours. Fidra is an elegant linen and chenille twill with the two yarns combining to give a subtle mix of rustic simplicity and luxury. It is available in eighteen colours.

TRIMMINGS IV

Zoffany’s new collection of trimmings offers a comprehensive choice of eight designs, each available in a superb range of twenty one beautiful colours. Picot braid, walling braid, curtain braid, flanged cord, tassel fringe, button tufts, rope and tie backs can now be matched to almost every item in the Zoffany range. All the trimmings are made in subtle tones of single colours for easy matching in a silky mix of viscose and polyester yarns.

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VMPR
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