Collection Stories

From The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Curtain from Chios

Post author By GW Museum
Post date November 9, 2022

Detail of textile with deep red ground and design of arches

Curtain, Chios, mid- to late 17th century. Silk and metallic-wrapped thread, weft-float weave with 2/1 twill interlacing and continuous supplementary-weft patterning, 271 x 156 cm. The Textile Museum Collection 1.74. Acquired by George Hewitt Myers in 1952.

All Indigenous Americas

Hat from Peru

Post author By GW Museum
Post date October 26, 2022

Four corned hat with each corner ending in a whimsical peak. The design is colorful and geometric. — Photo by Bruce M. White Photography.

Hat, Peru, 7th/9th century. Camelid hair, 15 x 12 x 12 cm. Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collection T-0047.

Africa All

Beaded Bag from Nigeria

Post author By GW Museum
Post date October 12, 2022

Detail of beaded bag with mask in relief

Beaded bag (apo ifa), Nigeria, Yoruba people, 1900-1920. Cotton, glass beads; 76 x 130 cm (including strap). Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collection T-2923.

All Student Research

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Post author By GW Museum
Post date July 16, 2022

White textile fragment with print of blue planes, green electricity, and orange cloud motifs.

Sergi Burylin (1876-1942); detail of ‘Airplane’, Textile Fragment; Russia, Ivanovo-Voznesensk Factories; c.1929–1932. Cotton, Twill Weave/Printed; 8 H x 13.8 W cm. Cotsen Textile Traces Collection T-2102.007. Bruce M. White Photography.

All Europe South Asia Student Research

Chasing Chintz

Post author By GW Museum
Post date June 27, 2022

Detail of textile with curling red and green floral motifs and vines on white background.

Detail of textile fragment; France, Alsace; c. 1780. Cotton, dye; block printing; 43 x 38 cm. Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collection T-0453. Bruce M. White Photography.