Dress fabric

Object Type
This patterned dress silk could have been chosen by a male or a female customer, since in this period its pattern would have been considered suitable for both sexes. Such a silk might have been used for a woman's gown, a man's waistcoat or his nightgown, worn informally at home. We know that in this case it came from a woman's gown or petticoat, as it still has some of its original trimming attached.

Materials & Making
The fairly complicated woven structure of this silk is highlighted with brocading. 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.