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THE PAPIER MACHE
The Papier Mâché reached its predominant fame over Europe by the middle of the XIX Th century, during the Second Empire-period, under Napoleon III’s reign in France and during the Victorian era in England. At this time, English society turned aside from the heavy Regency style and rather looked for more sophisticated, rococo and feminine styles. About 1820, furniture manufacturers introduced a new process that consisted in poring paper pulp and glue into moulds. Joshua BETTRIDGE, from BIRMINGHAM, the most popular maker and dealer of papier mâché furniture worked until 1850 and exported all over the world. He furnished most of the great houses of England, like Knowsley Hall, Aston Hall or Weston Park and was the favorite supplier of Queen Victoria’s interiors. His stamp can be found on several of his creations: “Bettridge & Cie Makers Birmingham” or “Jennens & Bettridge” and on “Patent and V.R. (Victoria Regina)" crowned locks. |
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At the same time, in France, Pierre ADT started a new manufactory in FORBACH, in 1844. And he found “ADT Frères” in 1857 with his brothers. They became specialists in table accouterments and household decorative sets: trays, “bonbonnières”, refreshing water “carafes”, special dishes and bread “corbeilles” etc...
Chairs and small size furniture were high quality-made and have come down to us in good condition: gondola armchairs, high-back chairs, back-open light chairs, “gueridons”, needle-work tables, “jardinières”, trays, boxes and writing cases ("écritoires"). Each piece has been gracefully decorated with paintings of nice bunches of flowers, or chinoiseries inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gold colored arabesques contrasting with the black glaze backgrounds (the “burgau”, iridescent mother-of-pearl coming from the Philippines and used by Chinese makers).
The Papier Mâché material could take unusual and capricious shapes. Such a clever ingenious style developed an absolute and unequalled success in this European lately born consumer society, which aspired to affluence and comfort. This period marked the opening of world fairs and department stores with illustrated magazines.
This decorated style, particularly set with flowers and pearls, finds an harmonious match with our contemporary interiors and gives them a precious touch of originality and brightness.
Unfortunately, these pieces has become rare on the market of Antiques and so they are mostly appreciated by few initiated collectors.