Not currently on display at the V&A

Dress Fabric

ca. 1740-1743 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This fabric is brocaded silk, and was part of a lady's gown. 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. In addition this silk has a pink ground, more unusual than the usual cream or ivory seen in brocaded silk dress fabrics of the period.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brocaded silk
Brief description
Dress fabric, panel of pink silk brocaded with polychrome silks in floral pattern, Spitalfields, ca. 1740-1743
Physical description
Panel of dress fabric from a gown, complete loom width. Pink silk brocaded with polychrome silks in floral pattern.
Dimensions
  • Maximum length: 116cm
  • Including selvedges width: 51.5cm
Credit line
Given by the Stable Family Home Trust
Subject depicted
Summary
This fabric is brocaded silk, and was part of a lady's gown. 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. In addition this silk has a pink ground, more unusual than the usual cream or ivory seen in brocaded silk dress fabrics of the period.
Collection
Accession number
T.53-2005

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Record createdJanuary 30, 2006
Record URL
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