Chintz: My sip of Inspiration

Today's post isn't a DIY project. Its more of a mini research on my current interest in patterns and designs. It all started with a  present from my mother which I recieved last Sunday.

Its a charming set of tea cups with a Chintz floral patterrn. I was interested in finding out more about this classic design. When I opened the box, my husband's first reaction was " ah old english styled cups " the sort of nationality we quickly fraternize things in...like if you see bamboos, you think China, if you see damask you think Islamic art/ damuscus...that kind of link up.

'Chuck out the chintz', exhorted Ikea, the well-known Swedish furniture retailer, a few years back in a needling advertising campaign. They wanted to persuade us to abandon old-fashioned floral Patterns in favour of cool, modern Scandinavian style. And for a while, they succeeded. But it's not easy to get the British to abandon something they've loved for 350 years.

Hugh St Clair

In Pakistan, a leading clothing brand Khaadi has launched an entire collection for Spring 2013 using the Chintz theme. (P.S momsie was in a generous mood and sent a Khaadi suit too!)

I always thought that these florals that are various variations of the chintz originate from the British...not knowing that it actually was develeped right where I come from! The Sub-Continent!

"When we think of chintz we generally think of English country-house interiors: rooms full of large-scale, colourful roses and wildflowers printed on the glazed cotton first manufactured in Victorian times. But chintz is much older than that and actually not British at all. The word chintz was originally used by the East India Company and is a corruption of the north Indian 'chint', a word meaning to sprinkle or spray. "

Enter: wikipedia.

 Chinz designs are mostly European patterns loosely derived from the style of Indian designs themselves reflecting, via Mughal art, decorative traditions in Islamic art such as the arabesque. 

Chintz was originally a woodblock printed, painted or stained calico produced in India from 1600 to 1800 and popular for bed covers,quilts and draperies. Around 1600, Portuguese and Dutch traders were bringing examples of Indian chintz into Europe. 

During the late 17th century, French and English mills grew concerned, as they could not make chintz. In 1686 the French declared a ban on all chintz imports. In 1720 England's Parliament enacted a law that forbade "the Use and Warings in Apparel of imported chintz, and also its use or Wear in or about any Bed, Chair, Cushion or other Household furniture".

Image: Google Images

Originally invented in India, chintz became an interior design staple in 17th and 18th century English country houses. Now it’s back, says Hugh St Clair

Google Images