Norwich Worsted
c 1740

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. 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.

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.

Condition

This piece is faded, more at the top. The underside reveals the pale mauve. Bad damage to bottom of the piece, the worst hole being 1 1/2 in x 1 in or 4 x 3.5 cm and two much smaller holes to right hand side. Ask for close up photos. The bottom 6 in or 15 cm is damaged.

Price: £350 | $540 | €420

Ref N°: 105/2