France · 19th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Very good condition with rich colors and fine detail. Minor age toning around the margins, consistent with age. Plate mark visible. No tears or stains.
Antique French Print Villa Mon Caprice Villers-Sur-Mer by Chabat c.1900
This antique architectural print, titled Villa Mon Caprice, Villers-Sur-Mer, presents the design of a seaside villa by architect E. Macé, with decoration by A. Darvant. The plate (Pl. XXI, 2e Série) originates from Pierre Chabat’s celebrated publication La Brique et la Terre Cuite (The Brick and Terracotta), produced in Paris in the late 19th century to around 1900.
The print shows an elaborate elevation of the villa’s garden façade, characterized by decorative brickwork, terracotta details, and ornate busts integrated into the design. Colored tile ornamentation and a richly decorated frieze emphasize the Belle Époque taste for elegance and artistry in domestic architecture. Alongside the elevation, the plate includes detailed sectional drawings and floor plans for the basement, ground floor, and first floor, highlighting both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the house. Rooms such as salon, dining room, bedrooms, atelier, and service areas are clearly indicated, reflecting the refined lifestyle of seaside resorts like Villers-Sur-Mer in Normandy.
This villa represents the combination of architectural rationality and decorative richness that defined French coastal villas of the period, balancing comfort, prestige, and artistic embellishment. Such villas were fashionable retreats for the wealthy bourgeoisie, and their designs showcased the growing popularity of brick and terracotta as expressive yet durable materials.
Pierre Chabat (1827–1892), a French architect and theorist, published *La Brique et la Terre Cuite* to promote and document the decorative and structural uses of brick in French architecture. The series remains an important reference for architects, historians, and collectors today.
Condition report: Very good condition with rich colors and fine detail. Minor age toning around the margins, consistent with age. Plate mark visible. No tears or stains.
Framing tips: Best presented in a gilt or walnut frame with an ivory or cream mat. A thin green or terracotta liner will emphasize the colored ornament and brick tones. Ideal as a decorative highlight for interiors with architectural or Belle Époque themes.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: Pierre Chabat, after designs by E. Macé (architect) and A. Darvant (decorator), France, c.1900
