Length of wool Calimanco

Unknown

mid-18th century · Wool, woven · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

VERSATILITY AND AFFORDABILITY Calimanco weaves are fine woolens, glazed and often decorated with stripes or flowers. Though not documented as fact, their name is traditionally believed to derive from an archaic Spanish word for “worsted.” A specialty of the successful workshops of Norwich in the southeast of England, they were popular products in both domestic and export markets, especially to North America. These two uncut lengths are rare survivals: usually tailored to make men’s waistcoats or ladies’ gowns and petticoats, calamanco textiles were often repurposed for bed quilts.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-18th century

Medium

Wool, woven

Culture

British, Norwich

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Purchase, Bequest of Alfred Duane Pell, by exchange, 2017