SOULEIADO
The art of "painted fabrics" goes back to the most ancient
mediterranean and oriental civilisation. It was probably the Phoenicians
who introduced Turkey red, the Persian seed, the cochineal and
other elements to Provence when they established the settlement
of Phocea, presently Marseille.
However, it was not until the end of the 17 th century, when the
Court of King Louis XIV, the sun king, became fascinated with
the "painted fabrics" imported from India, that the
manufacture of Indian prints déveloped in France.
Shortly thereafter, a decree in 1686 prohibited
not only the importation of "painted fabrics" from India,
but also reproduction and use of such fabrics in France. Apparently,
Colbert, carefully reserving government support for manufacturers
of products capable of sustaining international competition and
of guarding the prestige of French quality, did not lend his support
to the fledgling Indian goods industry which was then producing
only articles of mediocre quality.
The only immediate effect of this prohibition was to insure the
"painted fabrics" success. No method of obtaining the
prints was considered bad not even smuggling.
You can imagine the privileged position occupied by the factories
situated just outside the kingdom, in ever so nearby Provence,
such as the duty-free port of Marseille and especially the Comtat
Venaissin, property of the French Popes.
The most celebrated of these workshops in papal territory operated
in the latter half of the 18th century at Orange. The fabrics
of Orange were well-known throughout France, and Oberkamp called
his first productions "Toiles d'Orange de Jouy". The
operation closed its doors en 1800.
Other manufactures survived, however, at Orange, Avignon, Tarascon
and Aix. The prohibition on printed fabrics having been repealed
since 1759, the industry no longer profited from an exceptional
political situation. On the other hand, it did benefit from the
native production of the Avignon seed (basic component in the
production of yellow paints), and madder (used for Turkish red)
and violet, etc...
The soil of the Comtat, fertile for its calcium content, imbued
the madder with the same exceptional qualities that competitors
from other localities had sought for so long.
Gradually all the works disappeared, literally absorbed by the
technical and mechanical progress of the Industrial Revolution.
During that era, rare was the craftsman who struggled successfully
against the invading mechanisation. Of all the above named operations,
only one was to subsist until today; that of Charles Demery at
Tarascon.
Already in 1806 a manufacture existed in Tarascon.
In 1939, Charles Demery, direct heir to this family and its fabulous
traditions, understood that, put to the service of taste and art,
this ancient technique could be a marvelous instrument for singing
the glories of Provence. On the 3rd of June he registered the
trademark "SOULEIADO".
The only manufacture in France, from this day forward to perpetuate
the two hundred year old procedure of hand printing, the Souleiado
company will find among its collection of 40 000 ancient and authentic
documents an inexhaustible source of designs.
Souleiado means the "Piercing of the Sun" through the
clouds; this symbol perfectly mixes the history of this company
with the warm colors of Provence which yields a lasting richness
to its cotton fabrics.
This appearance, this passage of sunshine, plays upon the ochres
of the comtat, the reds of the Estérel, the Green of the
olive trees and that of the cypress trees, the blue of the provençal
sky and that of the latin sea.
Since 1997, Mr. and Mrs. NICOLLIN have taken over this ancient
manufacture.
Mrs. NICOLLIN, reared in the purest tradition, has assigned to
herself the task to make "SOULEIADO" shine from France
throughout the world.
SOULEIADO---has a museum you can visit!
Souleiado Museum
On the spot even of the family company, the Souleiado
Museum, interferes the memories this factory, while recalling
the enthralling history of the impression on fabric which was
established in Provence at the XVIIe century.
Like a lesson of thing, the visitor will discover
with interest the trade secrets of the famous Indians and the
use of these fabrics through the popular traditions of Provence.
In a maze of colored parts, punctuated of old costumes,
the walk in this museum will make you discover invaluable treasures,
like a collection of piqués to the multicolored Indians,
mêlées earthenware and grounds, a whole of religious
and popular objects, without forgetting arts relating to the Bullfighting.
Created in order to pay homage to "the Indian", the
Museum also puts at the service arts and culture of Provence,
by proposing various activities to you.
Location:
39, street Proudhon
13150 Tarascon
Reception: 04 90 91 50 11
Conservation (Mrs. Ferriol)
Such: + 33 4 90 91 50 16
Fax: +33 4 90 91 01 08
Opening of the museum
Tourist season of May 2 to September 30
Monday - Sunday: 10h00 - 18h00
Last returning visitor with 17h00
Low season of October 1 to April 30
Tuesday - Sunday: 10h00 - 17h00
Last returning visitor with 16h00