SOLD

Norwich Worsted 1
Early 18th c

wool woven with a damask pattern of large full blown flowers in pale mauve on a pale blue ground, the top part joined and with a narrow cord to lower hem edge, 31 in or 79 cm pattern repeat 45 x 15 1/2 in or 1.14 x 39 cm selvedge to selvedge.

Comments

This has been a skirt panel with a join at the top. I has a narrower loom width than the skirts I sold a few months ago. The back of the fabric has the colours in reverse. These pieces of fabric are very rare, wool damask being hard to find, but knowing it was woven in Norwich is very special. Interestingly this piece has been sewn to the skirt with the design upside down. The damask fabric was known as spigeldamast or mirror damask and the shine (calendaring) was achieved by putting the completed fabric through heated cylinders. Calendering makes the fabric dirt resistant and therefore stronger. See my article on Norwich Wool Damask in the ARTICLES section and the skirts in SOLD. There are more lengths in ENGLISH TEXTILES - WOVEN section.

Condition

As you will probably see from the photos there are some moth holes. If you cannot see ask for detailed photos. This piece is unfaded.