The Chevalier Collection: A Dynasty of History-Weaving Dealers

"Faire tapisserie", “blending in with the tapestry”, is a French expression meaning someone who keeps to him or herself, who attends a meeting without speaking up, for example. If ever an expression seemed paradoxical, it is this one. According to specialist Dario Boccara "Making a tapestry requires teamwork and cooperation between artists and artisans.” “The work of each person depends on the contributions of all, like the builders of Gothic cathedrals". Painters, cartoon artists, dyers and weavers followed each other or worked together to make these woolen wall coverings. For the Chevaliers, it is a family affair. Amélie-Margot, her sister Céline and their brother Alexandre represent the fourth generation in the business. The adventure began with Camille Chevalier in 1917. After losing his right arm in the Great War, he went back to his job selling carpets at the Bon Marché department store in Paris but soon realized that his disability prevented him from pursuing a career there. So he opened his own carpet and tapestry shop in Neuilly, a Parisian suburb, soon adding cleaning and restoration services to the business model. A determined man who learned to write with his left hand, Camille traveled for pleasure and business. His store moved to rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs in the 6 th arrondissement, while the workshop was located in Courbevoie, where the space necessary for the machines could be found. Camille's son Georges took over the business, joined in 1965 by his sons, Dominique and his twin brother Pierre. Ten years later, they completely took over and opened a store on Quai Voltaire that quickly became a must for lovers of antique textiles . The shop drew an international clientele, including private buyers from North and South America, China and the Middle East, as well as curators and interior designers. The workshop remained in Courbevoie, managed by Pierre. Manufacture royale des Gobelins, Les Enfants jardiniers ( Child Gardeners ), inter-window panel, Printemps ( Spring ), tapestry, model by Charles Lebrun (1619-1690), 315 x 207 cm/124.01 x 81.49 in. Estimate: €20,000/30,000 …