Dress Fabric
1724-1725 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This fabric is a brocaded silk and was intended for ladies' gowns. The technique of brocading allowed different colours to be introduced into the pattern of a fabric in specific, sometimes very small areas. It was a more laborious process for the weaver than using patterning wefts running from selvedge to selvedge, but the resulting effect could be much more varied and lively.
Design & Designing
The type of pattern repeat in this silk was known as a point repeat, in which the pattern appeared in mirror image to either side of a central axis. It gave quite a formal effect to the pattern, in which balance was very important, but the overall effect could be lightened with delicate drawing of the individual motifs. Here the leaf sprigs are overlaid as if built up in a natural arrangement of real plant life.
This fabric is a brocaded silk and was intended for ladies' gowns. The technique of brocading allowed different colours to be introduced into the pattern of a fabric in specific, sometimes very small areas. It was a more laborious process for the weaver than using patterning wefts running from selvedge to selvedge, but the resulting effect could be much more varied and lively.
Design & Designing
The type of pattern repeat in this silk was known as a point repeat, in which the pattern appeared in mirror image to either side of a central axis. It gave quite a formal effect to the pattern, in which balance was very important, but the overall effect could be lightened with delicate drawing of the individual motifs. Here the leaf sprigs are overlaid as if built up in a natural arrangement of real plant life.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Brocaded silk |
| Brief description | Three dress fabrics of brocaded silk, Spitalfields, London, 1724-1725 |
| Physical description | Three pieces of brocaded silk, from a dress, with a floral pattern on a white ground with stems and leaves in green and flowers in coloured silks. Brocaded gros de tours with a binding warp taken from the ground. The pattern is bound in 3/1 twill. Warp count is approximately 192 threads to the inch. Cords in design 192/4 x 10 = approx. 480 Selvages is 0.375 inch white tabby with four green stripes and one outer cord. Plain weave ground in white silk, with supplementary weft of white silk. Brocaded in 6 colours, bound in twill. Selvedges - green stripes made by single warp threads. Brocaded gros de tours with a binding warp taken from the ground. The patten is bound in 3-1 twill. Width of repeat (point) 10 inches, découpure 4. Length of repeat 22.75 inches. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Summary | Object Type This fabric is a brocaded silk and was intended for ladies' gowns. The technique of brocading allowed different colours to be introduced into the pattern of a fabric in specific, sometimes very small areas. It was a more laborious process for the weaver than using patterning wefts running from selvedge to selvedge, but the resulting effect could be much more varied and lively. Design & Designing The type of pattern repeat in this silk was known as a point repeat, in which the pattern appeared in mirror image to either side of a central axis. It gave quite a formal effect to the pattern, in which balance was very important, but the overall effect could be lightened with delicate drawing of the individual motifs. Here the leaf sprigs are overlaid as if built up in a natural arrangement of real plant life. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.18 to B-1969 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
