Textile traces

photo: St Tyl

The chateau of Loches in Touraine was built in the year of 1000 by Foulques Nerra, the Black Prince, responsible for so much of the construction in the region around the time of the millennium. The castle's keep is 36 meters high and is still in excellent condition.  Such sturdy architecture made it an ideal prison, which it became in the 15th century. It continued to serve this function until 1926. 

These late Louis XVI cabriolet armchairs were upholstered in needlepoint made by a noble woman incarcerated there during the Reign of Terror 1793-94. Each medallion

contains the name of an aristocratic prisoner held in the chateau of Loches at that time.

photo: StTyl

What better way to pass the days under the circumstances - 

than to leave a textile souvenir for posterity?

The chairs were donated to the chateau of Loches by Mme la Comtesse Maussabré.