Draw-loom

This loom is one of a series of scale models showing the evolution and improvements made in the Lyon mills in the weaving of figured fabrics. Made by Jean Marin, who taught fabrication theory at the École de La Martinière in Lyon, they were shown at the Universal Exposition in 1855 and acquired by the museum the same year. Mastery of the control of the warp threads meant patterned fabrics could now have complex motifs inspired by nature. As a result, they became some of the most expensive silk fabrics. The improvements to this type of loom made by Dangon enabled weavers to increase the number of cords from 800 to 2,400 and weave more elaborate designs.