Furnishing Fabric
1855 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This inexpensive printed furnishing cotton is a rare surviving example of an export cotton produced in Lancashire in the mid-19th century. Although the so-called 'Portuguese prints' such as this were produced (between1840 and 1860) mainly for the Portuguese, Spanish and South American markets, enough examples have been found in the USA and Great Britain to suggest that they were also used elsewhere. The distinguishing characteristics of these mid-19th-century export cottons are fantastical flowers and animals, often incongruously combined with figures, printed in bright colours.
The Calico Printers Association Ltd, who donated this cotton to the Museum, was an amalgamation of 46 printing firms which formed 85 per cent of the British printing industry in November 1899, when it was established. Unfortunately it is not recorded which of the firms produced this example.
The Calico Printers Association Ltd, who donated this cotton to the Museum, was an amalgamation of 46 printing firms which formed 85 per cent of the British printing industry in November 1899, when it was established. Unfortunately it is not recorded which of the firms produced this example.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Roller-printed cotton |
| Brief description | Furnishing fabric of roller-printed cotton, Lancashire, 1858 |
| Physical description | Furnishing fabric of roller-printed cotton in brown with a blue background. The pattern includes a design og fighting stags with flowers. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Roller printing, using engraved copper rollers, was invented in the late 18th century and made printed cottons much cheaper. By the 1850s manufacturers were finding overseas markets for their products. The bright colours and bold design of this cotton suggest it was made for Spain, Portugal or South America.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by the Calico Printers' Association, Manchester |
| Object history | Made in Lancashire |
| Summary | This inexpensive printed furnishing cotton is a rare surviving example of an export cotton produced in Lancashire in the mid-19th century. Although the so-called 'Portuguese prints' such as this were produced (between1840 and 1860) mainly for the Portuguese, Spanish and South American markets, enough examples have been found in the USA and Great Britain to suggest that they were also used elsewhere. The distinguishing characteristics of these mid-19th-century export cottons are fantastical flowers and animals, often incongruously combined with figures, printed in bright colours. The Calico Printers Association Ltd, who donated this cotton to the Museum, was an amalgamation of 46 printing firms which formed 85 per cent of the British printing industry in November 1899, when it was established. Unfortunately it is not recorded which of the firms produced this example. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.387-1956 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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