Item Details
Flechtschule von Grete Schmidt [Album of paper weaving, plaiting, and cutwork].
[Germany]: ca. 1900. Unique. Hardcover. "Friedrich Fröbel established "Kindergarten" in 1837 to encourage play with cognitive learning. To support this he developed a system of puzzles and manipulative toys. Part of this program was paper folding and paper cutting, or Scherenschnitte. Paper weaving or paper plaiting incorporates traditional German folk work while teaching young girls the virtues of patience, diligence, and meticulous focus. Many of the braided woven designs (12) in this example progress into geometric shapes, three crosses; common objects, including chairs, a window, and ladder. The more advanced works include a metallic monochrome paper with Scherenschnitte techniques to create floral elements and windmills. Overall, the patterns show the strength of technique often seen in textile making, but virtues of human contemplation. The championing of object and form over word and language became a philosophy of modernism to which a formidable roster of names (Frank Lloyd Wright, Piet Mondrian, LeCorbusier, Josef Albers) and movements (Bauhaus, minimalism) ascribed. Individual and distinct accordion fold sections were bound into a personalized codex with attribution, prizing the work and supporting the activity of both art and craft for young women."--Norman Brusterman, in "Inventing Kindergarten." Near Fine. Near fine, with offsetting and indistinct small creases or closed tears, else tight, bright, or unmarred. Cloth bound leporello with gilt titling and with 39 panels, double-sided. 4to. Individual panels with colored paper and metallic textile-like paper. Item #12986
Price: $1,850.00