Floral Chintz
Chintz is a printed cotton fabric with a glazed finish and multicolored patterns. The term originally applied only to textiles, used for upholstery, curtains and clothing. Today, it refers as well to the fabric’s characteristic floral patterns, seen in such decorative elements as wallpaper. The heavily saturated designs are most often composed of natural motifs, such as flowers and leaves.
Chintz fabric originated in India. The word chintz comes from the Hindi chint, which means “spotted.” Between 1600 and 1800, chintz was woodblock printed or painted on calico, a cotton fabric originating in Calicut. The dyes used were made from plant pigments, which produced vibrant colors. Thanks in part to innovations introduced during the Industrial Revolution, by the mid-1800s, European factories were producing their own chintz fabric. Victorians appreciated that the glazed finish made it easy to wipe clean.
While the 1990s saw major pushback against the 1980s chintz craze, it has rebounded of late. No longer considered “chintzy,” the fabric is again embraced by designers for its decorative patterns and bold colors. This is thanks in part to the maximalism that has taken the design world by storm. Reacting against minimalism, the style celebrates exuberance, displayed in the mixing of textures and patterns. Chintz fits right in.
Chintz curtains, furniture upholstery and decorative pillows can all make statements with their vibrant floral prints. A touch of chintz can set the mood of a room, introducing a colorful, soft and traditional nuance to a contemporary space.
Find rugs and carpets, seating, lighting and more in the floral chintz collection on 1stDibs.
1810s German Rococo Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
19th Century French Rococo Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Floral Chintz
Tôle
19th Century French Antique Floral Chintz
Tôle
1890s French French Provincial Antique Floral Chintz
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American American Classical Floral Chintz
Iron
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Floral Chintz
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Floral Chintz
Ceramic, Majolica
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Floral Chintz
Faience
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Floral Chintz
Majolica
1950s Chinese Vintage Floral Chintz
Porcelain
18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Floral Chintz
Wood
Early 20th Century North American Art Nouveau Floral Chintz
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Floral Chintz
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
19th Century French Classical Roman Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
1940s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Floral Chintz
Metal, Enamel
1840s British Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
1860s French Antique Floral Chintz
Glass
Early 19th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Floral Chintz
Glass
Late 20th Century British Colonial Floral Chintz
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Floral Chintz
Marble, Porphyry, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Industrial Floral Chintz
Iron
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Floral Chintz
Ceramic
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Floral Chintz
Majolica
Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Primitive Floral Chintz
Wood, Willow
Early 20th Century American Floral Chintz
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Floral Chintz
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Rustic Floral Chintz
Glass, Wicker
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Floral Chintz
Bronze
19th Century French Aesthetic Movement Antique Floral Chintz
Porcelain, Paint
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