NEW YORK, April 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Domaine du Cellier aux Moines in Givry in Burgundy, France, owned by Philippe and Catherine Pascal, is donating to the National September 11 Memorial Museum a fascinating replica of the "Manhattan" carpet once adorning the famous "Windows on the World" restaurant at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The original piece had been hand-made by the Manufacture de Moroges in Burgundy in 1996. The same factory has created the replica and it will leave Givry in April to join the collection of the Museum, which will open as part of the September 11th Memorial at the end of 2012.
Located in the heart of southern Burgundy, the Manufacture de Moroges overlooks the vineyards of the region's famed wineries.
In the autumn of 2009, Philippe and Catherine Pascal met with Pierre-Louis Juillet, the owner of the factory. A specialist in the production of hand-made carpets for major French luxury brands, interior designers and collectors, this Burgundy factory is unknown to the general public. While the Pascals and Mr. Juillet were reviewing the factory archives together, they found the original designs of the very large carpet (more than 2,000 square feet) that decorated the entrance to the famous "Windows on the World" restaurant that was located at the top of the North tower of the World Trade Center. This restaurant had one of the world's best wine cellars – often referenced as the "Cellar in the Sky".
Philippe and Catherine Pascal, who called New York City their home for more than a decade in the 1980s and for which it remains for their daughters Camille and Margot, were deeply moved by this discovery. They asked Pierre-Louis Juillet if it would be possible to reproduce the piece that had vanished, in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. Mr. Juillet, an enthusiastic and exceptionally talented craftsman, agreed without hesitation.
It took months to find all the samples of wool needed to weave this work of art and then many, many hours drawing and weeks of work.
In September 2011, ten years after the tragedy, Philippe and Catherine Pascal presented the mock-up and photos of the work in process to Jan Seidler Ramirez, Chief Curator of the National September 11 Memorial Museum. Extremely touched, the Memorial collections Commission accepted this piece, which will be joining the Museum's permanent collection at the end of 2012.
Measuring more than 160 square feet, the piece like the original represents an aerial view of the island of Manhattan lit up at night. It shows the streets and avenues, as well as the site of the World Trade Center and the Hudson and East Rivers. The carpet is in the shape of a giant wine glass – a homage by Burgundy craftsmen and winegrowers to the City of New York.
Before being sent to New York, the carpet was displayed on the stone walls of the13th century Cellier aux Moines to soak up the history and sunshine of Burgundy. It will soon be discovered by the millions of people visiting the September 11 Memorial in the south of the island of Manhattan.
Because from Givry, Burgundy, we will never forget
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