La Haute Bretagne. Mobilier régional.
Paris: Éditions Massin. ISBN 978-2-7072-0305-2.
Summary:
The book deals with the furniture of Haute Bretagne in the context of French regional furniture and shows its integration into cultural, geographical and craft contexts. It emphasises that regional furniture should be understood as an expression of historical identity, characterised by local materials, climatic conditions and the traditions of craftsmanship. At the same time, the presentation emphasises the importance of this furniture for the understanding of everyday culture, forms of living and social representation of past eras.
The focus is on the special position of Haute Bretagne as a cultural crossroads of maritime influences. Furniture from this region is characterised by a combination of powerful design language and elegant execution. Historical trade relations - particularly via the port city of Saint-Malo and the centres of Rennes and Nantes - led to the incorporation of international influences, for example from Germany and the Netherlands. This can be seen both in decorative motifs and in the use of high-quality materials such as mahogany, which became available through overseas trade and was used in particular for prestigious furniture making. Overall, the work conveys a picture of a furniture culture that combines regional tradition with cosmopolitan influences and develops an independent, art-historically significant design language.


