Regency Fabric, Part 36

 Here’sanother post in our ongoing series on Regency fabrics.

As I have in previous posts, I’ll be examining actual fabric samples glued intoseveral earlier editions of Ackermann’s Repository, samples supplied bythe manufacturers and published by Ackermann in order to boost the Britishcloth-making industry at a time when exporting British goods to Europe was almostimpossible because of the Napoleonic war. I'll give you a close-up scan of eachsample, the published description if available, and my own observations of the color,weight, condition, and similarity to present-day materials, to give you as closea picture as possible of what these fabrics are like.

Today’sthree samples are from the December 1813 issue of Ackermann’s Repository. The overall condition of my copy is very good: the paper itself is only lightlytoned and has minimal spotting.

Herewe go!

 

No. 1 and 2 is a new pattern forfurniture, from the extensive warehouse of Mr. Allen, No. 61, Pall-Mall; wherea great variety of new designs, of the most tasteful and attractive invention, arecontinually succeeding each other; and where many elegant patterns, of last season’sintroduction, are selling at reduced prices.—The specimen here given, admits ofalmost every shade of lining and fringe, from the brilliant rose-colour, to themore cool and softer shades of pea-green and jonquil. Drawing-rooms, boudoirs,and sleeping-rooms, appear to advantage decorated with this species offurniture.

 My comments: This does not quitefeel like a chintz—the threads are not as fine and even as most chintzes—but seemsweighty enough to drape nicely. It’s a touch drab, though—nothing I’despecially want in my drawing room.

No. 3 is a superfine orange Merinocloth, calculated for ladies’ dresses, mantles, and pelisses, which weconfidently expect to be the favourite colour for the season, in compliment toour new friends the Dutch. It admits of a great variety of trimming, as fur,satin, velvet, or Chinese floss, and gimp ornaments. It may be purchased ofevery colour, and is sold by Messrs. Kestevens, York-street, Covent-Garden.

My comments: I certainly can’taccuse this sample of drabness! It’sautumn woven into fabric—not a color one usually associates with Regencydresses. Being Merino, I imagine it would make a warm and lightweight garment. Notas smooth as a challis, say—the weave is not as smooth. But very cozy!

 No.4 is a delicate and choice articlefor gentlemen ’ s waistcoats; and, when trimmed with sable or other Russian skin,offers a becoming and seasonable article for gentlemen ’ s winter wear. It issold by the same house as the preceding.

 

My comments: A very handsome fabric indeed—a sort of heavy cordedsilk, perhaps?—with a fine brown stripe…but what I want to know is how thewriter of this description thought fur should come into the picture. As alining, perhaps? I certainly can’t imagine a fur trim as we think of “trimming”,but a sable-lined waistcoat would be seasonable indeed!

What do you think of this month’s fabrics?