An antique French medical bandage roll ("Bande de Toile") manufactured by Froget & Cie at their factory in Tarare (Rhône), France. Dating to the early 20th century, this unopened roll remains preserved in its original brown paper wrapping with a highly detailed lithographed paper label featuring a red cross emblem.

Condition Report & Provenance

• Subject / Sitter / Source: Antique medical dressing / bandage
• Artist / Maker / Author: Froget & Cie (Manufacture Française de Pansements)
• Period: Early 20th Century
• Origin: France
• Material / Technique: Paper-wrapped textile roll with printed paper label
• Materials: Paper, fabric
• Markings: Printed on label: "MANUFACTURE FRANÇAISE DE PANSEMENTS / ASEPTIQUES & ANTISEPTIQUES / FROGET & CIE / USINE À TARARE (Rhône) / BANDE DE TOILE / de 5 m. x 0m07 / Qualité Supérieure"
• Colour & Surface: Natural brown wrapping paper, cream label with red and black print
• Condition: Excellent original, unopened condition with minor creasing and light toning to the paper packaging consistent with age

History

The town of Tarare in the Rhône department of France was historically renowned as a major center for textile production, specializing in fine weaves, muslins, and eventually sterile medical gauze and dressings. Froget & Cie was a prominent manufacturer in this region, supplying pharmacies and military medical corps during the early-to-mid 20th century, including the First World War. Unopened medical supplies from this era are highly collectible artifacts of social and military medical history.