Collection Stories

From The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Fichu from India

Post author By GW Museum
Post date June 19, 2020

Woman’s fichu, made in India for the European export market, 18th century. Cotton plain weave with silk and metallic-thread embroidery; 46 x 121 cm. Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collection T-3083.

All Indigenous Americas

Sarape from Mexico

Post author By GW Museum
Post date June 12, 2020

Sarape (detail), Northern Mexico, mid-19th century. Cotton (warp), wool (weft); slit and dovetailed tapestry weave; 253 x 136 cm. The Textile Museum 87.4. Acquired by George Hewitt Myers.

All East Asia

Qing Dynasty Chair Cover from China

Post author By GW Museum
Post date June 5, 2020

Chair cover (detail), China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), Kangxi period (1661-1722). Silk and metal-wrapped yarns; slit tapestry weave (kesi); 163 x 52 cm. The Textile Museum Collection 2011.8.1. Collection of Joseph W. Fell.

Africa All

Tent Panel from Mali

Post author By GW Museum
Post date May 22, 2020

Black and white checkerboard patterned textile with sporadic designs in red

Tent panel (arkilla jenngo) (detail); West Africa, Mali; 1940s. Cotton, wool; plain weave, weft floating patterned, slit-tapestry weave; 439 x 131 cm. The Textile Museum Collection 1977.23.2. Gift of Phyllis C. Kane.

All Indigenous Americas

Poncho from Peru’s Ica Valley

Post author By GW Museum
Post date May 8, 2020

Colorful poncho with bird and geometric designs

Poncho, Peru, found on the south coast, Ica Valley, 1400-1570. Cotton (warp), camelid hair (weft); dovetailed tapestry weave; 259 x 137 cm. The Textile Museum Collection 1969.43.1. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Francis Robicsek.