History - Pinton

weavers at work and
a mending workroom, Felletin
Image © archives pinton

The first references to the name PINTON can be found in the Aubusson weaver censuses of the early XVIth century. However, the history of the PINTON family can only be traced back to the end of the XVIIIth century, one hundred years after Colbert granted the title of Royal Manufactory to Aubusson tapestry makers.

A family history, true to tradition and resolutely modern

The “first” Joseph

Born in 1770 in Aubusson, Joseph worked as different kinds of tapestry maker. He specialised in the fashionable textiles of his day, demonstrating entrepreneurial flair and an ability to capture the trends of his time. This quality will also be apparent in his descendants. His son, Mathieu, registered in the same censuses as tapestry or rug maker, married the daughter of another rug maker established in Felletin. With this union, the PINTON family wove a first link between Aubusson and Felletin.

Aubusson, Felletin, Paris

At the end of the XIXth century, two of the children born of this marriage, Joseph (the second) and his brother Olivier settled in Paris as rug traders and sales representatives for Maison Bournaret, a rug weaving manufactory based in Felletin, creating a second link with the town… And a first establishment in the capital.

The Wotowski-Bayard fund

Olivier’s wedding in 1892 was a milestone in the history of the PINTON family. His young bride was indeed the grand-daughter of Joseph Wotowski, who was born in the Polish nobility, settled in Aubusson and rapidly became one of the main dignitaries in town. With his son in law he created the Bayard Wotowski manufactory whose documentary fund and customer base fell to the PINTON family through this union.

original drawing
gouache on paper
image © archives PINTON

From brothers to brothers

On the death of Olivier, his sons Jean and Louis took over – one in Paris as trader and the other in Felletin as head of the family business. While their initial productions were reproductions of old patterns, they progressively began to weave pieces designed by contemporary artists. Bright and driven, the brothers developed this activity through their exclusive partnership with Jacques Adnet, a talented architect, designer and art publisher of the day. It is also around that time that Jean bought the Bournaret manufactory, which resulted in the arrival of more cartoon painters.

After WWI: the tapestry revival

Driven by the impulsion given by Jean Lurçat, who brought with him exceptional artists, the Aubusson tapestry gained new momentum. The painter relocated to Aubusson in 1938 in the aim of reviving tapestry. He developed the technique of numbered cartoons: the subject is drawn in real size, colours are indicated by numbers and the palette is reduced, “Everyone was winning: the artist in terms of 100% faithfulness of execution, the workshop in terms of weaving speed” wrote the artist in “Le Bestiaire dans la tapisserie du Moyen-Âge”.
… Boosted by this development the art rug made a comeback, and the PINTON manufactory ended up weaving artworks by Calder, Le Corbusier, Fernand Léger and many others!

The “Second” Olivier

Encouraged by the renewed growth of his business, Jean PINTON diversified the firm’s offering and created departments dedicated to fitted carpets, tufted rugs as well as a laying and advisory service. Olivier PINTON, his son, who took over in 1967, had new modern premises built, designed by architect Jean Willerval.

The birth of the PINTON manufactory

The new head office was located a few streets away from the previous one, at 9 rue Préville, also in Felletin. The intention was to gather under one roof all employees and operations, which had spread out as the business developed. The offices, the workshops and an exhibition and sales area open out onto a bright green garden and the tormented blue skies of the Creuse county, lit up by large bay windows. The word “maison” or house took its full meaning for PINTON: a building, a true architectural heirloom, home to a know-how passed down the family over the centuries, served by men and women united in their appreciation for a job well done. Olivier and his family established themselves in Felletin, where Olivier took over a tapestry manufactory founded in 1867, located in a stunning townhouse. Initially acting in partnership with his friend Jules Vauvert, he became the sole owner in 1906. Driven by the same entrepreneurial spirit as his ancestor, he scaled up the business with the construction of several buildings and workshops. The PINTON manufactory was born.

PINTON Today

In 2002, Lucas PINTON was just 23 years old when his father, François, suggested that he took the head of the family manufactory, close to bankruptcy at that time. He then left Paris, where he was completing his economics studies in the university of Assas to dedicate himself to the rebirth of Maison PINTON. With a childhood spent in the Paris suburbs, away from the workshops of the Creuse, he was not necessarily predestined for this task, but claimed an subconscious link to the Felletin business. He uncovered photos and letters dating back to the time when the manufactory produced the works of Sonia Delaunay, Le Corbusier, Fernand Léger and many others, and decided to reconnect with the unique and visionary heritage of PINTON. Driven by his entrepreneurial flair and his love of art, Lucas PINTON launched many initiatives. Maison PINTON resumed its collaborations with major contemporary artists and renowned designers for its limited edition art rugs and tapestries. The range of fitted carpets, bespoke products or ready-made rugs in standard sizes was not forgotten and became available in a wide choice of material, author and colour options…

Lucas PINTON swept the cobwebs from the old-fashioned image of Aubusson tapestries and rugs, anchoring them in the modern world of today. He also expanded the service offering and worked with specific markets such as the yachting and aviation industries, luxury boutiques and hotels, or the institutional world of ministries and embassies, creating an international brand image. Further supported by the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label and the Aubusson Rug and Aubusson Tapestry Geographical Indications, the PINTON manufactory has become THE reference in its field. Yet it remains above all a family business, led by men and women who share the same passion for their trade and the same desire to transfer and share their skills. In spite of these many successes, Lucas PINTON remains humble and curious, driven by many projects, enthusiastic about new partnerships… Enough to continuously reinvent the family business!