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Not currently on display at the V&A

Sample

mid 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This sample of Brussels carpeting has a pattern of cartouches, inspired by jewelley motifs. It was woven in looped, uncut, worsted pile by Worth & Co. in the mid-19th century. The firm was based in Kidderminster, the main centre in England for the manufacture of Brussels carpets. A feature of Brussels carpeting is its expensive finish, with a ribbed or corded surface and the use of no more than five colours in the pattern. This design was reproduced in 1975 for the Palace of Westminster.

The carpet industry flourished between 1830 and 1850 due to technical innovations which provided looms to weave numerous variations of floor coverings with Kidderminster, Wilton, Axminster and Kilmarnock all centres of production.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Woven wool and hemp, looped pile
Brief description
Sample of carpet woven in wool and hemp, manufactured by Worth & Co., Kidderminster, mid 19th century
Physical description
Sample of Brussels carpeting of woven wool and hemp with a looped pile. There is a narrow strip without pile at the upper and lower edges. With a strawberry pink ground containing cartouches outlined in brown, tan and yellow. These are linked by formal ornamental panels predominantly in white.
Dimensions
  • Length: 52cm
  • Width: 67.5cm
  • Weight: 0.42kg
  • Height: 20.5in
  • Width: 26.5in
Summary
This sample of Brussels carpeting has a pattern of cartouches, inspired by jewelley motifs. It was woven in looped, uncut, worsted pile by Worth & Co. in the mid-19th century. The firm was based in Kidderminster, the main centre in England for the manufacture of Brussels carpets. A feature of Brussels carpeting is its expensive finish, with a ribbed or corded surface and the use of no more than five colours in the pattern. This design was reproduced in 1975 for the Palace of Westminster.

The carpet industry flourished between 1830 and 1850 due to technical innovations which provided looms to weave numerous variations of floor coverings with Kidderminster, Wilton, Axminster and Kilmarnock all centres of production.
Bibliographic reference
Parry, Linda. British Textiles from 1850 to 1900 London : Victoria and Albert Museum 1993. Plate 2. See Worth sample and recipe book at LACMA library pressmark TT854.3 W67 1842 and article by Terry Schaeffer in 'The Diversity of Dyes in History and Archaeology' edited by Jo Kirby Atkinson (Archetype Publications, London 2017).
Other number
AP.104 - Previous number
Collection
Accession number
T.7-1959

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Record createdFebruary 16, 2004
Record URL
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