Support from fondation ALCEA

Antonio Ratti Foundation is delighted to announce the support received from the Alcea Foundation towards the restoration and digitisation of 70 sample books from the Lyon manufactory Chavent Père & Fils and approximately 1600 loose proof papers.

Since its creation, Antonio Ratti Foundation has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing  of the textiles collected by Antonio Ratti and to make them available to scholars, experts and enthusiasts. Constant conservation, restoration and digitisation is a fundamental component of this work, which makes the FAR textile archive an international reference in this field.

The generous support from the Fondation Alcea, for the purposes of restoring the structural and aesthetic integrity of sample books and proof papers from the Lyon manufacturer Chavent Père & Fils, marks an important chapter in the FAR textile collection. These items which were hitherto not available for consultation due to their fragility and extensive damages, are representative of the production of the Lyon industrial district in the 19th century and form one of the most important nuclei of the FAR collection.

Over a period of three years, the support from Alcea will enable not only to restore them, but also to make them accessible to the public, triggering new possibilities for research and inspiration for the scholars, artists and designers who consult the FAR textile archive every year.

Further information in the press release to download