Figure 1.--This 1903 postcard shows ethnic costumes worn by a Breton boy and girl. They wear a traditional cap and dress with what looks to be a standard pinafore-like garment. |
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Brittany is a region of northwestern France, the most westerly extension of France. Brittany has a fascinating history explaining the tenacity by which the region has clung to its language and customs, including their destinctive dress. Only in the 20th century has Brittany been fully integrated into France. At the turn of the 20th century, Breton culture was much stronger than is the case today. The first postcard pictured here was made about 1903. The children, a boy and a girl, are dressed in almost identical outfits. In Brittany it was the custom for boys to wear dresses in their early years.
Brittany is a region of northwestern France, foremerly a province and duchy. It is primarly formed by the peninsula extending 150 miles into the Atlantic, making it the most westerly extension of France.
Bretons in the west and southwest have clung particularly tenously to their traditional customs. Particularly apparent was the retention of the Breton language with its rich folklore and its picturesque 16th century costumes.
Only in the 20th century has Brittany been fully integrated into France. The region in aincient times was occupied by a confederation of Celtic tribes which had mixed with the earlier people of the region. The Rpmans under Ceaser invaded the region in 56 BC, but never fully subdued the Celtgic tribes. After the Romans withdrew, British celts sought refuge from the Saxon invasion of Britain. These refugees probably gave the region its present name and converted the people to Christianity.
Brittany under the Celts was divided into several small monarchies. These were absorbed into Charlemagne's empire, but latter a military leader defending afainst Viking invaders broke with the Frankish crown. Subsequently it was ruled by the Norman dukes. Disputes as tio whter the region was a vassal state of France or England resulted in a seeries of wars betwwen the two countries. Brittany was finally united with the French crown through mairrage which the English during the 16th century was recognized by treaty.
Older Breton generations were very attached to Celtic culture Their traditions and language along with the eyhnic costumes were commonly worn until the end of 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.
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Breton identity has posed some political problems within the French Republic. The political influence of the Bretons was able to obtain the right to teach their language in local schools. This was a major concesion as the French schools are very centralized.
Breton is the ancient Celtic language of Brittany. Breton is not a dialict (patois), but an actual language.As late as World War II it was spoken by over 1 million persons, about half of which still were not fluent in France. It was related to Cornish and Welsh. There was a literary revival in the 19th century. Efforts are made to preserving the language, but it is rapidly losing out to French in modern France.
At the turn of the 20th century, Breton culture was much stronger than is the case today.
The first postcard pictured here was made about 1903 (figure 1). The children, a boy and a girl, are dressed in almost identical outfits. In Brittany it was the custom for boys to wear dresses in their early years. These two, shyly holding hands, were photographed in their traditional breton costumes at Pont Labbe, near Quimper. The girl and a boy wear beautifully embroidered costumes and caps and lace collars. Boys were dressed the same as girls until 5 or 6 years of age in Brittany at the turn of last century. A delightful double portrait of the children sweetly holding hands. This postcard was used, mailed from Redon(Brittany)On the 16th February 1903, as shown on the cancelled stamp on the left hand top corner. The sender signed and dated it 15/2/03, under the image. This postcard adds context to a display of Quimper faience. This postcard was used, sent from Redon, stamped on the front, dated February 16, 1903. Marked in front top: "1500. Pont L'Abbe. Fille et Gas" (Girl and Boy), in front left side:" Collection Villard.Quimper". Marked at the back with a hand written name and address, as well as a title in Breton. The outfits interestingly are exactly alike. Thedy look to be a dress in a destinstively woven dress and a pinafore worn to protect it.
This is another Quimper faience postcard. This postcard was used. It bears a hand writen message in French at the back, but was probably sent under envelop as there is no stamp. Marked in front, at bottom under the image"1165. Elliant. Futurs Epoux" Translating to "Future spouses", and on the left side: Collection Villard.Quimper.
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young children, a boy and a girl photographed in the early 1900's, in their
traditional Breton costumes, from Quimperle, near Quimper. Marked in front, at bottom under the image" Moeurs et types Bretons- Costumes de Quimperle" Translating to " Breton customs and styles. Costumes from Quimperle"
Another image shows two children welcoming tourists to Brittany. These postcards were prfimarly made to sell to tourists. The older child is a boy. I'm not sure about the younger child. This postcard was used,it bears a hand writen message in french at the back, but was probably sent under envelop as there is no stamp. Marked in front, at bottom under the image" La Bretagne vous salue" Translating to " Brittany greets you." The children wear short jackets with baggy trousers. Each has a wide brimmed hat with ribbon and wear wooden shoes.
The traditional costumes of Brittany often seen are festive dress outfits worn at festival or special ceremonies and events. There are also traditional costumes that used to be worn everday (costumes de tous les jours). The difference is weak. Everyday costumes are more modest. There is always the trimmed round hat of a black velvet ribbon, the waistcoat or the short blouse (sometimes decorated black velvet facings). But, here, there are not the elaborate embroideries of the festive costumes. The embroideries of the festive costumes were in [sharp?] silk, usually yellow, red, and green.
The embroideries of the festival costumes were generally made in silk with [sharp?] colors: yellow, red, and green. These embroideries in relief require a great deal of labor and are very expensive. They are made by passing thread over and over again and again in innumerable whorls. As a result this emboidery was noy used for the ordinary everyday costume. The craft of emroidery was usually an occupation for men.
The women and girls wear simple aprons and bonnets of fabric in these everyday outfits. The fetival costumes include fancy aprons and
bonnets trimmed in lace.
Mais, ici, il n' y a pas les broderies des costumes de fête. Les broderies des costumes de fête étaient faites de fils de soie de couleurs vive : jaune, rouge, vert, le plus souvent. Ces broderies en relief longues et coûteuses à faire (pour les exécuter, il fallait passer et repasser le fil en d'innombrables
spires) ne figuraient évidement pas sur le costume ordinaire. Le métier de brodeur était généralement masculin. On notera que les femmes et filles portent de simples tabliers et bonnets de toile, alors que les costumes de fête comportent des tabliers et bonnets de dentelle raffinées. Les bretons (un vieux peuple d'origine celtique) très
attachés à leur culture, leurs traditions et leur langue ont porté ces
costumes traditionnels jusque vers la fin du 19e et le début du 20e
siècle. Cette identité bretonne n'a pas été sans poser quelques problèmes politiques à la république française. A force de résistance, Ils ont obtenu, notamment, que le leur langue (ce n'est pas un patois, mais une langue) soit enseignée dans des écoles.
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