drecoll - 2 planches certifiées maison Drecoll - 1900s

Exceptional and extremely rare pair of two original and certified workshop boards from the archives of the prestigious Paris Haute Couture house Ch. Drecoll (Charles Drecoll), dating from the very first collections of the Paris brand (Belle Époque period, circa 1904-1906). These landmark historical documents are not press or magazine engravings, but genuine official presentation maquettes reserved for the house’s exclusive salons located at 4, Avenue de l’Opéra in Paris. Certified and indisputable authenticity: The two pieces bear in the upper left corner the famous administrative monogram stamped in blue ink “CHD”. This protection mark, filed by the house to combat counterfeiting and model theft, legally authenticates the provenance and status of these boards. The coherence with the known filing systems of the label is complete (including the collection at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne). Detailed composition of the lot (2 exceptional boards): Board 1: Splendid silhouette in a reception or grand indoor style gown. It features a light overcoat with a majestic trailing train opening onto a skirt adorned with floral and colorful cashmere motifs. This board bears the regulatory atelier handwritten annotation “No. 156” in fine ink at the bottom of the silhouette, directly linking the drawing to the season’s pattern book. Board 2: Elegant afternoon or walking dress in pearl gray or velvet, finely worked with motifs of botanical scrolls and appliqué embroidery. It bears on the verso its technical inventory number “1005”. Technique and support: Fine art prints and workshop lithographs, delicately enhanced with period colors. Presented on their original thick, rigid cream card. The free-floor brushline trace attests to a meticulously finished studio presentation. State of conservation: Very good overall condition for century-old haute couture working documents. The card retains its superb cream patina and the graphic contrasts remain strikingly fresh. Infinitesimal signs of handling from the period guarantee the authenticity of the pieces (see photos). A rare opportunity for museum conservators, fashion archivists, or for interior decoration with absolute refinement under framing."