Silk Collection (#5)

Silk worm cultivation and threading of silk, 1775
3480656 Silk worm cultivation and threading of silk, 1775; (add.info.: Silk worm cultivation and threading of silk, from the 1775 edition of Oeconomie generale de la campagne)

Silk weavers in India, 1828
3480360 Silk weavers in India, 1828; (add.info.: French lithograph of silk weavers in India, By Marlet 1828.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Silk manufacture: transferring yarn from the warping reel to a spool, 1780
3480179 Silk manufacture: transferring yarn from the warping reel to a spool, 1780; (add.info.: Silk manufacture: transferring yarn from the warping reel to a spool)

Silk spinning machine, 1843
3480176 Silk spinning machine, 1843; (add.info.: Silk spinning machine: in this process the threads from the cocoons were joined into a continuous thread: Lombe's silk mill, Derby)

Lombe's silk mill, Derby, 1843
3480223 Lombe's silk mill, Derby, 1843; (add.info.: Lombe's silk mill, Derby: Throwing (twisting) silk by hand. While the man turned the wheel

Dyeing rooms in a silk mill, 1885
3480217 Dyeing rooms in a silk mill, 1885; (add.info.: US silk production. Dyeing rooms in a silk mill 1885.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Making the warp threads, 1885
3480215 Making the warp threads, 1885; (add.info.: US silk production. Making the warp threads through the harness to form pattern. 1885.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Chinese women making silk cord, 1812
3480207 Chinese women making silk cord, 1812; (add.info.: Chinese women making silk cord, 1812.); Universal History Archive/UIG

One of a pair of Portieres for the Marquand Music Room, c.1885-87 (silk & embroidery)
8698275 One of a pair of Portieres for the Marquand Music Room, c.1885-87 (silk & embroidery) by Alma-Tadema, Lawrence (1836-1912); Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701679 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701677 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701671 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701657 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail from a tapestry depicting scenes from the Trojan War
5304853 Detail from a tapestry depicting scenes from the Trojan War.; (add.info.: Detail from a tapestry depicting scenes from the Trojan War)

Spring Morning in Han Palace, 17th century (ink & colour on silk)
8724774 Spring Morning in Han Palace, 17th century (ink & colour on silk) by Jianlong, Gu (1606-c.1687); 29.75 x 209 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Sarong, 1910 (cotton and silk)
1068840 Sarong, 1910 (cotton and silk) by Asian School; 161.2903x64.45x cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; (add.info.: Unknown maker); General Acquisitions Fund

Spitalfields silk workers winding and reeling silk, London, England, late 19th century
541920 Spitalfields silk workers winding and reeling silk, London, England, late 19th century. This enclave of the silk industry was founded by Huguenot refugees from France after Louis XIV's

Preparing the pattern for the loom (engraving)
8647231 Preparing the pattern for the loom (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Preparing the pattern for the loom)

Sorting the silk (engraving)
8647252 Sorting the silk (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sorting the silk. Illustration for The Ladies Treasury, Vol I, 1858.); © Look and Learn

8626826

IXth and XIIIth centuries women's headdresses (litho)
8677406 IXth and XIIIth centuries women's headdresses (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: IXth and XIIIth centuries women's headdresses)

Photocard, 1930s: Tetuan (coloured photo)
8671670 Photocard, 1930s: Tetuan (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tetuan)

A silk ikat robe in blue and yellow (silk)
1767218 A silk ikat robe in blue and yellow (silk); Private Collection; (add.info.: A silk ikat robe in blue and yellow. Bokhara, late 19th century.); Photo © Christie's Images

An Indo Portuguese floor spread of couched yellow floss silk ground, with a central roundel depicting a pelican
1767179 An Indo Portuguese floor spread of couched yellow floss silk ground, with a central roundel depicting a pelican, peacocks and mermaids (silk); 170x262 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Tapestry. Tournai. The battle of Roncevaux (La Bataille de Roncevaux). Wool and silk. Third quart 15th century
7209815 Tapestry. Tournai. The battle of Roncevaux (La Bataille de Roncevaux). Wool and silk. Third quart 15th century. 250x180cm.; 250x180 cm; Musee de la Tapisserie, Tournai

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701690 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701681 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701674 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701673 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk)
8701663 Detail of Imperial Embroidered Silk Thangka, 1402-24 (silk) by Chinese School, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); 335.3x213.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

A silk spinning workshop, 19th century, 1864
7125180 A silk spinning workshop, 19th century, 1864; (add.info.: A silk spinning workshop, 19th century. From Le Savant du Foyer ou Notions Scientifiques Sur Les Objets Usuels de la Vie)

Embroidered Apron from the Joseon dynasty
3118888 Embroidered Apron from the Joseon dynasty; (add.info.: Embroidered Apron from the Joseon dynasty. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

A woodcut engraving depicting oak apples and gall wasp responsible for them
5310958 A woodcut engraving depicting oak apples and gall wasp responsible for them. These galls had various uses, including the dye for wool and ink (Aleppo galls)

Sailor's headscarf, which belonged to Samuel Enderby, c.1805 (red silk)
MMM5470306 Sailor's headscarf, which belonged to Samuel Enderby, c.1805 (red silk); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Sailor's scarf, which belonged to Samuel Enderby)

Les Canuts: silk workers in Lyon in the 19th century
JAB5037279 Les Canuts: silk workers in Lyon in the 19th century.; (add.info.: Les Canuts: silk workers in Lyon in the 19th century.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Chinese mandarins in military uniform with scimitar and bow, arrow, quiver
FLO4622411 Chinese mandarins in military uniform with scimitar and bow, arrow, quiver. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Andrea Bernieri from Giulio Ferrario's Ancient

Costume of Granville
5855760 Costume of Granville; (add.info.: Costume of Granville. A woman in her finery. This hairstyle is called the "conine." It is extraordinary that this simple style can appear so)

Apple banana
5855193 Apple banana; (add.info.: Apple banana, Musa acuminata -- balbisiana. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Antoine Jussieu's "Dictionary of Natural Science)

Detail from a tapestry depicting scenes from the Trojan War, 15th century (tapestry)
5304847 Detail from a tapestry depicting scenes from the Trojan War, 15th century (tapestry); (add.info.: Detail from a tapestry depicting scenes from the Trojan War)

Dance, curtain of Russian games. Tapestry by Jean-Baptiste Le Prince (Jean Baptiste Leprince)
JEB4880573 Dance, curtain of Russian games. Tapestry by Jean-Baptiste Le Prince (Jean Baptiste Leprince, 1734-1781) made by Beauvais's studio in Lower Lice. Wool and silk. Dim: 400x590cm

Don Quixote desarme by the Dames of the Duchess, detail. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote
JEB4880506 Don Quixote desarme by the Dames of the Duchess, detail. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" written by Miguel de Cervantes

Musician and triangle dancer, detail of the musician. Cartons of the curtain created by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer
JEB4880283 Musician and triangle dancer, detail of the musician. Cartons of the curtain created by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer (Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, 1636-1699)

The start of Sancho for the island of Barataria, detail central part, Sancho on his horse
JEB4881664 The start of Sancho for the island of Barataria, detail central part, Sancho on his horse. Based on the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" (Don Quixote)

Sancho and the hazelnut dealer, detail of the right part, the child in his basket
JEB4881500 Sancho and the hazelnut dealer, detail of the right part, the child in his basket. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" (Don Quixote)

The meal of Sancho in the island of Barataria, detail of the meal scene. According to the novel "El Ingenioso
JEB4881397 The meal of Sancho in the island of Barataria, detail of the meal scene. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" (Don Quixote)

The meal of Sancho in the island of Barataria, detail low left. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don
JEB4881366 The meal of Sancho in the island of Barataria, detail low left. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" (Don Quixote)

Don Quixote's meeting with the Duchess, detail of the duchess and children's group
JEB4881253 Don Quixote's meeting with the Duchess, detail of the duchess and children's group. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" written by

Don Quixote's meeting with the Duchess. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la
JEB4881220 Don Quixote's meeting with the Duchess. According to the novel "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" written by Miguel de Cervantes

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Silk, the epitome of elegance and luxury, has a rich history that spans across continents and centuries. From the Map of the Empire of King Alexander the Great to The Royal Bride, it has adorned royalty throughout time, symbolizing opulence and refinement. In Fashions for 1954, silk took center stage as it draped gracefully on women with impeccable style. Just like a Twenties flapper girl sitting at a cocktail bar exuding confidence and allure, silk dresses accentuated their every move. The timeless beauty was captured in Reading Aloud by Albert Joseph Moore in 1884. Its delicate threads whispered stories from generations past while Working drawings by William Morris showcased intricate patterns woven into this luxurious fabric. Fred Archer's mastery behind the lens immortalized Burmese women donning their native attire made from vibrant silks. Their colorful garments reflected their culture's vibrancy and traditions. A red-headed girl seated in a sheer red dress evoked passion and sensuality through her choice of clothing. Silk clung to her curves like second skin, leaving little to the imagination but everything to desire. As Aphra Farquhar walked down the aisle wearing her wedding dress designed by Worth, all eyes were captivated by its ethereal beauty. Silk cascaded around her like a cloud of pure enchantment as she embarked on her journey towards eternal love. Good Morning. David Wright's artwork depicted an elegant woman wrapped in silk sheets as she greeted each day with grace and poise. The softness against her skin mirrored the gentle embrace of morning light. Even historical figures such as Henry Fiennes Pelham Clinton (1750-1778), Earl of Lincoln - Gainsborough Dupont recognized silk's allure when they chose it for their portraits. It became synonymous with power and prestige during those times. Silk is not merely a fabric; it embodies artistry, craftsmanship, and sophistication that transcends time.