Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 120, The Wolfson Galleries

Skein

1800-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Silk thread is obtained from the cocoon of the silk worm, which is formed of a continuous double filament of fine silk. The filaments are reeled off several cocoons into a single strand. Strands are thrown, or twisted together, to make silk thread, and threads can be plied (by twisting two or more in the opposite direction to which the thread was thrown) to make two and three-ply silk, as we have here. Silk takes dyes well, and the clever gradations in colours in these skeins is typical of the taste for novelty and experimentation inspired by the developments in dyeing technology in the 19th century.

Materials & Making
In the 18th century, silk thread for embroidery was bought in skeins, from which lengths would be wound off onto a silk winder, to be easily held in the hand while working. It was usually bought by weight. In the first half of the 19th century manufacturers devised methods of mechanically winding thread in a more convenient form for sale to the public. These small skeins have been wound in a very decorative way, in keeping with the taste for neatness and prettiness regarding the items that made up the contents of a needlework box.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk
Brief description
Skein of embroidery silk, Great Britain, 1800-1850
Physical description
Skein of blue-green embroidery silk.
Dimensions
  • Length: 13.6cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/01/2001 by KN
Gallery label
British Galleries: NEEDLEWORKING SKILLS
Ladies in polite society were expected to be proficient in a wide range of needleworking skills. The graceful rhythm of techniques such as knotting or netting was thought to show off the elegance of a lady's hands. Embroidery, knitting and crochet are still current today. Knotting produced a decorative thread, with rows of little knots, that was sewn onto fabric. Fine net, made with thread from a decorative shuttle, was often further embroidered.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Given by Mrs M. G. Graham
Object history
Made in Britain
Summary
Object Type
Silk thread is obtained from the cocoon of the silk worm, which is formed of a continuous double filament of fine silk. The filaments are reeled off several cocoons into a single strand. Strands are thrown, or twisted together, to make silk thread, and threads can be plied (by twisting two or more in the opposite direction to which the thread was thrown) to make two and three-ply silk, as we have here. Silk takes dyes well, and the clever gradations in colours in these skeins is typical of the taste for novelty and experimentation inspired by the developments in dyeing technology in the 19th century.

Materials & Making
In the 18th century, silk thread for embroidery was bought in skeins, from which lengths would be wound off onto a silk winder, to be easily held in the hand while working. It was usually bought by weight. In the first half of the 19th century manufacturers devised methods of mechanically winding thread in a more convenient form for sale to the public. These small skeins have been wound in a very decorative way, in keeping with the taste for neatness and prettiness regarding the items that made up the contents of a needlework box.
Collection
Accession number
T.436G-1966

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Record createdMay 14, 2003
Record URL
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