Textiles from the V&A

On our trip to Egypt in April we had a day in London in transit and we were finally able to see the textile galleries in the V& A. So here are some of the fun pictures we took for all of my costumer friends.

Stamped, Slashed and Abraded Satins, late 16th and early 17th century

A Pair of Episcopal Gloves, Spanish, Second half of the 16th century

Couched gilt thread on knitted silk

Printed Textiles produced for Wall Decoration, Second half of the 16th century

The pattern is derived from contemporary velvet patterns. The example on the left has been lime-washed, block printed in two colors and sprinkled with crushed mica (it still sparkled), That on the right appears to be stenciled, and may perhaps be a later version of the same design. From the Forrer collection. said to have been acquired in Paris.