Edith Mannoni - Mobilier régional - Mobilier de Basse Bretagne

Mobilier de Basse Bretagne.
Paris: Éditions Massin. Edited by Edith Mannoni. ISBN 978-2-7072-0275-8.

The book deals with the furniture of Basse Bretagne as an independent form of French regional furniture and emphasises its cultural and artisanal characteristics. The focus is on the close connection between furniture art, regional identity and everyday culture. Typical objects such as the Breton "lit-clos" are described as characteristic evidence of an independent way of living and life that is clearly different from other French regions.

Stylistically, Breton furnishings combine influences from classical ornamentation - transmitted via Paris and Italy - with independent, Celtic-influenced decorative forms. Wickerwork motifs, symbolic carvings and restrained depictions in relief characterise the mostly solid oak or chestnut furniture. Regional features such as the works from the Quimper or Léon region and decorative elements such as metal fittings or inlays point to local traditions and specialisations in craftsmanship. The overall picture that emerges is of a furniture culture that oscillates between archaic austerity, symbolic imagery and down-to-earth functionality while retaining an unmistakable formal unity.

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