“I wanted to refurbish the background wall”: when a merchant from Rennes discovers a extremely rare odorico mosaic in his shop

A nice surprise. Moreover, In 2022. In addition, Yann Guellec started work in his electronic cigarette store located at Place Sainte-Anne in Rennes when he discovered a work by Isidore Odorico. However, “I wanted to refurbish the back wall of the shop. Similarly, It was then that I saw the mosaic that was hiding behind, ”says the manager of Class’Clope.

Inside the shop, another wall is decorated with this blue mosaic, taking the form of waves. Furthermore, It had been designed by Isidore Odorico for the old fishmonger which occupied these same premises in the 1930s.

Mosaic crab – "i wanted refurbish background wall":

When the fishmonger lowered its curtains in the 1995s, another similar work had already been found. For example, Daniel Enocq, specialist in Odorico mosaics, was on site. Similarly, “The work that represents a crab had been hidden in the basement of the store. Furthermore, It was positioned on “i wanted refurbish background wall”: the fish stall ”. Consequently, In the wake of this discovery, Daniel Enocq contacted the Museum of Brittany so that the mosaic is preserved there.

Even more surprising, this marine decor is an inspiration from a project that Isidore Odorico had carried out in Saint-Nazaire. “He had made several mosaics for a luxury liner. in the same spirit as those found in this store Place Sainte-Anne,” explains Daniel Enocq.

Visit of Curious

At 7 place Sainte-Anne, the discovery attracted many customers according to Yann Guellec. “Every day, people “i wanted refurbish background wall”: who enter the store tell us about this city’s heritage. We were even contacted by schools to organize visits to the store ”.

By settling in the shop, Yann Guellec has chosen to leave all the apparent mosaics. “It was complicated to set up, because we could not put the shelves anywhere and hide these works”. Once the development is finished, the manager did not regret his choice. “At the start we were afraid to tire of this decor but today it fits very well”.

New mosaics?

Italian mosaists of the 19th century, the Odorico had settled in Rennes and had decorated the city with their works. “In the second half of the 20th century. mosaics were no longer to the taste of some who preferred new constructions, some were therefore covered or hidden,” said Daniel Enocq.

It was during renovation work that many of them were rehabilitated. “Recently mosaics have been discovered at the Le Hibou bar or even at the Garden hotel.” And treasure hunt is surely far from over. In addition, “It is quite possible that we continue to find other Odorico mosaics in Rennes. whether in individuals or in public places.”