In conjunction with the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events to be held at the Château de Versailles, the Musée de la Toile de Jouy is presenting "Le crin dans tous ses éclats. Weaving an exceptional fibre", from 13 June 2024 to 12 January 2025.
This exhibition looks at the use of horsehair as a textile fibre and as a craft and artistic technique. The exhibition takes a thematic and chronological look at how horsehair is used in textiles.
Horsehair is a unique material that has been used since horses were first domesticated, for its flexibility and strength. The exhibition introduces the theme with a historical and general overview of the various possible applications of horsehair in society. Horsehair is used in music (stringed instrument bows), medicine (sutures), tools (brushes, brooms), hairdressing and upholstery (mattresses, armchairs).
This versatile fibre is also woven into textiles. The weaving of horsehair is very special. The exhibition focuses on the specific technical features of this fibre, and explains the various stages involved in weaving horsehair yarn into fabric. The resulting fabrics are used in a wide variety of fields. This is an opportunity to showcase the expertise of the last traditional horsehair weaving workshop in France, a valuable source of knowledge about how this fibre is used.
In the 18th century, horsehair clothing was very fashionable. This part of the exhibition features costume items such as hats, handbags, belts and underwear made from horsehair fabric, like the famous crinolines, which take their name from this fibre.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, horsehair was also a material of choice for furniture. Horsehair fabrics were appreciated for their shine and robustness. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was used to upholster certain pieces of cabinetwork and luxurious Art Deco interiors.
Although horsehair fabrics are rarer today and often replaced by vegetable or synthetic substitutes, horsehair is still a source of inspiration for many decorators, fashion and jewellery designers, and visual artists. This final section presents the current uses of horsehair fibres and fabrics in contemporary design.
Horsehair is a unique material that has been used since horses were first domesticated, for its flexibility and strength. The exhibition introduces the theme with a historical and general overview of the various possible applications of horsehair in society. Horsehair is used in music (stringed instrument bows), medicine (sutures), tools (brushes, brooms), hairdressing and upholstery (mattresses, armchairs).
This versatile fibre is also woven into textiles. The weaving of horsehair is very special. The exhibition focuses on the specific technical features of this fibre, and explains the various stages involved in weaving horsehair yarn into fabric. The resulting fabrics are used in a wide variety of fields. This is an opportunity to showcase the expertise of the last traditional horsehair weaving workshop in France, a valuable source of knowledge about how this fibre is used.
In the 18th century, horsehair clothing was very fashionable. This part of the exhibition features costume items such as hats, handbags, belts and underwear made from horsehair fabric, like the famous crinolines, which take their name from this fibre.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, horsehair was also a material of choice for furniture. Horsehair fabrics were appreciated for their shine and robustness. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was used to upholster certain pieces of cabinetwork and luxurious Art Deco interiors.
Although horsehair fabrics are rarer today and often replaced by vegetable or synthetic substitutes, horsehair is still a source of inspiration for many decorators, fashion and jewellery designers, and visual artists. This final section presents the current uses of horsehair fibres and fabrics in contemporary design.
