Description and Details
A boxed Sajou Heritage and Museum kit for a large embroidery all about Marie Antoinette, the last Queen to live in the Palace of Versailles before her unfortunate demise.
The embroidery includes the iconic portrait of Queen Marie-Antoinette by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, the French Queens official portraitist, along with designs taken from embroideries associated with (and some some worked by) Marie Antoinette. Her love of lace and fashions is noted and there are designs that are based on fabric samples used by Rose Bertin, the Queens dressmaker, along with the Queens silhouette and monogram.
Marie-Antoinette (1755-1793) continues to fascinate people. Despite her tragic destiny and the many grievances held against her, she remains an intriguing and iconic part of French history.
Having been vilified by history, little by little, her ordeal was recognised and she became an expiatory symbol of the Revolution. In 1816 Louis XVIII gave her the funeral she never had in 1816. Later, the Empress Eugénie (1790-1864), devoted a large part of her time collecting objects belonging to the former queen. This role was taken over by the 19th century writers, Dumas and the Goncourt brothers.
Finally, Pierre de Nolhac (1859-1936), the first curator of the Versailles Palace, as well as a great writer and historian, completely rehabilitated the image of Marie-Antoinette by restoring the Petit Trianon with her original good taste and exhuming her portraits.
Today, Marie-Antoinette is a world-renowned myth.
This embroidery represents around 310 hours of stitching.
The kit contains:
A large 68 x 80 cm poster printed on matt paper
A large 70 cm square of pink linen fabric
Four 14 cm squares in off-white, one Sajou blue, one cyclamen, one mole and two lime tree
35 Cards of Retors du Nord embroidery floss: 2001, 2004 , 2005, 2018, 2022 x 3, 2023 x 2, 2024, 2025 x 2, 2032, 2034, 2036, 2037, 2041, 2042, 2180, 2190, 2227, 2317, 2340, 2350, 2409 x 2, 2443, 2445 x 2, 2469, 2535, 2536, 2615, 2818, 2876;
Two 28 mm buttons to cover;
Roughly 20 cm of two satin ribbons in pink and pale blue, as well as nine pieces of organza ribbons in pastel tones.
Size of motif: 340 stitches wide by 340 stitches high.
When embroidered on 12 count linen, the finished projects measures 56.7 x 56.7 cm.
The kit forms part of Sajous Versailles Palace Museum and Heritage collection. The Museum and Heritage collection can be found in my shop and includes; the history of Toile du Jouy, the Bayeux Tapestry, the Chenonceau Château, the history of Sajou and Tinctorial Plants.
Sajou produce haberdashery items made in France to the highest standards (in some cases even produced on the original old machinery). Perfect for gifts and collectors, and for those of you unable to resist a quality that is seldom found in today's mass produced haberdashery products.
Sajou was created in 1828 by Jaques- Simon Sajou, selling haberdashery for embroidery, tapestry, lace, crochet and weaving. His pattern albums are sought after to this day by collectors worldwide. In 2005 the Sajou brand was purchased and revived by avid collector; Frederique Crestin- Billet. Many of the old designs have been faithfully reproduced and there are some new designs that have been added in the Sajou style.
Materials: 32 Count Embroidery Linen, Cross Stitch Chart, Retours du Nord Embroidery Thread, Sajou Label, Ribbons, Buttons to cover, Gift Box.
