Furnishing fabric
- Place of origin:
France (possibly, woven)
Netherlands (possibly, woven)
Flanders, Belgium (possibly, woven)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Velvet woven with a woollen pile, with details highlighted in linen on a linen ground
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 56d, case 7
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Object Type
Velvet is a type of fabric with a raised pile surface, created during weaving with an extra warp. The loops of the pile may be cut or left uncut, and it can be woven in different fibres to suit its purpose. This velvet has a ground structure woven from linen thread, with a woollen pile, and some pattern details highlighted in linen.
Materials, Making & Use
Woollen velvet was woven in different qualities for different furnishing uses. The most hard-wearing was suitable for carpeting, and was usually patterned, with different colours in the pile incorporated during the weaving. Patterned woollen velvet of the quality of this example was soft and flexible, and suitable for the upholstered seats and backs of furniture. It would have been less expensive and more hard-wearing than a silk velvet of equivalent complexity of design and colouring. Plain woollen velvet was also produced, and could have a pattern stamped onto it with heated metal plates.
Physical description
Woollen velvet furnishing fabric. Loom width with a number of pattern repeats. Selvedges intact along the whole of both sides. Fragmentary strip of webbing attached to the upper end, possibly contemporary. Woven with loose linen (?) weft and pale brown worsted warp in twill weave, 2 inches broad.
The design is in comber repeat, with large vases of flowers alternating with canopies and swags. The woollen pile is in four colours: green ground, the pattern is two shades of red forming broad stripes of each colour, and motifs outlined in cream. The pattern is similar but not identical to fabric T.163-1926 in the Museum.
Place of Origin
France (possibly, woven)
Netherlands (possibly, woven)
Flanders, Belgium (possibly, woven)
Date
ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Velvet woven with a woollen pile, with details highlighted in linen on a linen ground
Dimensions
Length: 193 cm maximum, Width: 53 cm including both selvages, Width: 0.8 cm selvage, Length: 60.5 cm pattern repeat
Descriptive line
Furnishing fabric of woollen velvet, possibly woven in France, Netherlands or Flanders, ca. 1700
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Sherill, Sarah. Carpets and Rugs of Europe and America. Abbeville Press, 1996, pl. 60.
comparable piece described as Franco-Flemish moquette carpet, 17th century
Labels and date
British Galleries:
Woollen velvet was produced in Europe in a range of qualities. The best versions imitated the appearance of costly silk velvets, but were more robust. Woollen velvets were imported into Britain for use on upholstered furniture like chairs and settees. [27/03/2003]
Materials
Linen; Wool (hair)
Techniques
Velvet weave
Categories
British Galleries; Textiles; Interiors
Collection code
T&D
