Our early 20th-century hand-painted faience hinged box was made in France exclusively for Charles Mayer & Company, and a remnant of the original retailer’s label remains on the underside. Founded in 1840, Charles Mayer & Co. was a distinguished Indianapolis retailer known for offering finely crafted goods, and remained a fixture in the city until it closed its doors in 1954.
To dig a little deeper.:
Toile de Jouy is a type of printed fabric that came to life in France in the mid-18th century, but its origins can be traced back to Ireland where it was first produced in the 17th century. At that time it was known as linen prints. Irish artisans developed techniques for printing intricate patterns onto the linen using woodblocks. During the 18th century, the French fell in love with the toile’s charming patterns, adopted and refined its printing methods, and made toile a luxury fabric associated with French aristocratic tastes.
The name translates to “cloth from Jouy,” referring to Jouy-en-Josas, a town near Versailles where the fabric was first produced! It typically features pastoral or romantic scenes printed in a single color ( red, black, blue, or green) on a white or cream background. The vignettes often depict mythological themes, idyllic countryside life, or historical events.
Toile de Jouy was originally used for textiles, but as it gained popularity it became a ubiquitous classic, making it a staple in French country and antique-inspired interiors.
