Product description
The quintessentially Renaissance design on this historical fabric includes floral elements arranged in pointed lozenges. The central motif is a vase with a bouquet of stylized blossoms of pomegranate, artichoke, and thistle, framed by a flowering vine, that weaves through an ornate royal crown. The pomegranate is a major, recurring symbol on textiles of this era and carries various interpretations. We are as likely to find it on fabrics used for formal garments as in backdrops to depictions of the Madonna and child.
The original fragment is held at the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
This historical brocade reproduction is a pure silk Jacquard weave with gold-plated metallic thread. These premium materials make this brocade sturdy but soft, gentle to the touch, and breathable. Reproductions of period brocades such as this are perfect for sewing historical costumes and also bring something special to modern interiors or contemporary fashions.
This fabric is made on an automatic Jacquard loom, but the pattern is prepared by hand. The weaver first sketches the design and then painstakingly transfers it (also by hand) to the punch card. This process results in slight irregularities in the weave. These tiny imperfections are not considered defects, but rather a natural feature of hand crafting.
We recommend lining this brocade with a natural material such as silk or fine linen.
Care
We recommend dry cleaning this fabric at a reliable dry cleaner. In our tests of how to wash silk this fabric stood up to gentle hand washing. If you risk hand washing, use lukewarm water and a delicate detergent for woolens; do not wring or squeeze dry; block dry on a flat surface. Dry iron on the back on the lowest setting.
