Vintage textile? Primavera by Jack Lenor Larsen

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

I happened across 1.5 yd (width 53") of this luscious cotton velvet and upon research, was a bit surprised to find that it may have some actual value. I know nothing of interior design and had never heard of Jack Lenor Larsen, it's been interesting reading. Does anyone here know much about decorator textiles? Apparently, this is the first ever screen print design on velvet and came out around 1960. I believe this colorway is either Apricot or Nasturtium. The design was discontinued in the 80s but revived in 2005. I'm trying to determine if this piece is vintage or newer. I've emailed the company but am still waiting for a reply... just thought someone here might know. Thank you for any help.
~Donna
PS- It was musty/dusty and laundered beautifully, but I couldn't budge the stain on the selvedge.

 

[Midge]

No idea on all this, but it's a beautiful fabric!

Karin

 

[Linn]

Donna,

I am familiar with Jack Lenor Larsen and many designer textiles. I probably would not have laundered velvet but am glad to hear that it cleaned up nicely!

As you probably discovered while researching Larsen, Cowtan & Tout purchased the line in the late 1990's. I looked at the C&T website and currently "Primavera" is only available in two colorways - not the one on your yardage. Since you discovered this pattern was revived in 2005, it's best to wait until you hear from the company about whether this is a revival or not. My feeling is that it is C. late 1960's - early 1970's in that colorway - maybe earlier but it looks very late '60's early '70's to me .

You may have found this link from the Cooper-Hewitt while you were searching. Whether vintage or not, your yardage definitely has some value.

http://www.cooperhewitt.org/object-of-the-day/2013/04/26/effulgence-country-gardens

Linn

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thanks for the input, Linn. I, too, am leaning toward late 60s, early 70s. The first run seems to have the copyright date of 1960 on it... mine does not. But some 70s pieces that Larsen has donated to museums do not have the year on it, either. I can't find a picture of the selvedge of the re-issue. And so far, I can only find red ginger and blue indigo in the re-issue.

I bought it, dirty and cheap, intending to make it into accent pillows. So I just threw it in the washer, figuring if it didn't come clean, I was only out peanuts. While it was in the washer, out of curiosity, I googled Larsen and almost choked, lol! But, as I said, it came through the washer beautifully!

 

[Linn]

Donna -

It would make great accent pillows. I really think it's late '60's early '70's. I think that Cowtan & Tout would appear on the selvedge on any reissue - but I don't know that for sure. There used to be a Larsen rep here in Honolulu but I'm not sure if they still carry the line.

Linn

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

I attempted email contact through Larsen's website which directed me to Colefax & Fowler, so they were the recipients of my query. Unfortunately, I never received a response. It hadn't occurred to me that the re-issue would have the new company's name included on the selvedge... that does seem likely. What is printed on the selvedge of my piece is exactly like what is printed on the selvedge of a piece Larsen donated in 1973 to one of the Smithsonian museums: the Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum in NYC. So that, combined with the colorway and my gut feeling on handling the piece in its original condition, gives me confidence that it is indeed vintage.
Thank you, Linn