Not currently on display at the V&A

Totley

Set of Furnishing Fabrics
1947 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Designed by Marianne Straub for Helios Limited in Bolton, this material was produced as furnishing fabric in 1947. Straub was the head designer of Helios from 1937 and Managing Director from 1947 and became known for producing inexpensive but stylish ranges of furnishing fabrics for retail. Straub used new approaches to create fabric, which led to interesting surface qualities and texture. She had a thorough knowledge of textile technology, and had studied hand and mechanised weaving in her native Switzerland, and the UK. While appearing to be influenced by the geometric designs of Second World War textiles, this pattern exhibits a more painterly nature, whch can be seen in the irregularity of the dots.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Furnishing Fabric
  • Furnishing Fabric
  • Furnishing Fabric
TitleTotley (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Dobby-woven rayon
Brief description
Set of furnishing fabrics 'Totley' of dobby-woven rayon, designed by Marianne Straub for Helios Limited, Lancashire, 1947
Physical description
Set of furnishing fabrics of dobby-woven rayon with pattern of dots encased in diamond shapes. Rayon warp and weft of rayon tuffle.
Production typeMass produced
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
Designed by Marianne Straub for Helios Limited in Bolton, this material was produced as furnishing fabric in 1947. Straub was the head designer of Helios from 1937 and Managing Director from 1947 and became known for producing inexpensive but stylish ranges of furnishing fabrics for retail. Straub used new approaches to create fabric, which led to interesting surface qualities and texture. She had a thorough knowledge of textile technology, and had studied hand and mechanised weaving in her native Switzerland, and the UK. While appearing to be influenced by the geometric designs of Second World War textiles, this pattern exhibits a more painterly nature, whch can be seen in the irregularity of the dots.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.77 to B-1947

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Record createdMarch 31, 2005
Record URL
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