Printed fabric (furnishing fabric) - Germaine pattern

The velveteen is printed in blue, red and yellow on a creme ground. The whole surface is covered with coiling tendrils, enriched with alternating exotic flowers, fruits and leaves.

The pattern is a copy of a cotton fabric that was made probably in Augsburg in "bizarre" style, reflecting the influence of Indian polychrome cottons. A differently coloured variant of this fabric is now in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg (see Biriukova, N.: West European printed textiles, 16th-18th century. State Hermitage Collection. Moscow 1973. Plate 34 - Augsburg (?), early 18th century, T-4045).

The pattern was registered on March 6th, 1883 (see Wardle, T.: Patternbook No. 124. - Manchester, Whitworth Art Gallery. Inv.No. 14008). According to data in the other Wardle pattern book, which is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the printed cotton version of this pattern was exhibited at the 1888 Arts &Crafts in Melbourne (see Wardle, T.: Patternbook, p. 12 - London, Victoria and Albert Museum, Inv.No. T.O - 1978).

Another variant of the pattern, printed with red contour and embroidered in polychrome silk, was made in 1892, in Leek Embroidery Society, which was operated by Wardle's wife, Elisabeth. This cotton variant is now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.