HANDICRAFTS Tapestry-maker & Upholsterer
In his workshop, Eddy Oberlin, an upholsterer, is the keeper of an ancient
tradition.
He restores seats (chairs, armchairs, sofas) of all periods including 20th
century ones. He Re-covers them with nice material, thus bestowing a second
youth to the seats in his care. With his dexterious fingers, he shapes a
consistancy- lacking matter (horse hair or vegetable hair).
In order to preserve our inheritance, he is respectful of traditions, of the
quality of the materials he uses and the way in which he makes an upholstery
adapted to each style.
Moreover, he designs and makes window decorations of all kinds : double
curtains, net curtains, "foaming" curtains, "boat" curtains including the
fitting in of the curtain rails.
The upholsterer does no chain work: he takes measurements, on request, each
item is original.
An upholster.s job is an art, really, thus differing from all other handicraft
jobs:
. through a thorrough involvement in culture, restoring and preserving
inheritance.
. Thanks to an authentic and quality-seeking image.
. By resorting almost exclusively to manual work.
SOME HISTORYS
The origins of the craft reach back to 1292 and its first rules within the
guild go back to 1295. There used to be a distinction between Sarazin tapestry
makers, who wove 'oriental-type carpets. Couterpane makers and crèpe makers
shaped materials, made tapestries, and covered seats.
Matching comfort and beauty in the house over the centuries, the craft of the
uphlsterer has been firmly acknowledged, one might even say ennobled, under
Louis xv reign when the worthy the guild members were granted the great honour
of carrying a sword
The craft was to take a new step when springs were invented. The springs
conveyed the upholstered seats more convenience. The hermit from Ferney made
the fame of the Voltaire armchair; there was also the gondole, the crapaud (tod),
the confident. Having a seat had become an art !
