Velvet Fabric

The velveteen is printed with dark red against a pink base the whole surface is covered with a pattern in a close but diagonally shifted arrangement. The main element of the pattern is a palmet, divided several times, springing out from a fountain. The tip of the palmet is surmounted by a blossoming tulip among serrated leaves, with a pair of chained hunting leopards underneath. A bird with spread wings, looking backwards, sits on a flowery bush that starts on both sides of the well rim. The upholstery was modelled on Italian silk lampas-woven fabrics, made on oriental influence in the second half of the sixteenth century. These fabrics can be found in several European textile collections, such as the collection of the Kunstgewerbemuseum in Cologne (see Markowsky 1976 No. 211) or in the Musees Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire in Brussels (see Errera 1927 No. 246b). The patterns were registered on July 4, 1882 (see Wardle, T.: Patternbook. No. 64 - Manchester, Whitworth Art Gallery. Inv.No. 14007 pp.133-134.)