Rare Folly Cove Designers Print, "Sauna, " circa 1950s

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Rare Folly Cove Designers Print, "Sauna, " circa 1950s

About the Item

"Sauna," a rare, vertical hand block printed textile by Aino Clarke of the Folly Cove Designers, American, circa 1950s, in terra cotta on cream colored cotton and depicting, in a wonderfully sophisticated and stylized way, various individuals, activities and body types in a sauna. Many of the artisans who worked as part of the Folly Cove Designers collaborative were of Finnish origin. The Finns came to Gloucester and were active in granite quarrying. They brought many of their local traditions with them, and built saunas there. Aino Clarke, herself, was one of the founding members of the Folly Cove Designers. Matted and framed. The Folly Cove Designers were a collaborative of mostly women designer-craftsmen, founded in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1938 by Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios, who is perhaps best well known for her celebrated career as an author and illustrator of children's books, including the classic, "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" and "The Little House". As an artistic collaborative of 43 women interested in art and design, the Folly Cove Designers created whimsical and unique fabric for draperies, table linens and clothing and, on paper, wallpaper and Christmas cards, all hand block printed, based on their domestic lives and natural surroundings. The Folly Cove Designers achieved great success artistically and commercially, and were, in short order, featured in exhibitions at major museums. They earned national attention in magazines and major departments stores purchased and reproduced some of their designs. Ultimately, however, rather than turning to commercial manufacturing methods, the Folly Cove Designers chose to stay close to their roots, rejecting the fame and commercialization offered by New York City and continuing their tradition of hand made, beautifully conceived and executed textiles. In 1968, after the death of Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios, the designers agreed never to sell again to the public any of the designs they produced under the Folly Cove Designers name. Today, they are increasingly hard to find and very sought after by collectors. Examples may be found in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, and private collections.

Creator:
Folly Cove Designers (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 26.63 in (67.65 cm)Width: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Cotton,Glass,Wood
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1950s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Some discoloration at top, as seen in photos.
Seller Location:
Essex, MA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU83774071303