Length of wool Calimanco
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.
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.
Artwork Details
- Title: Length of wool Calimanco
- Date: ca. 1750
- Culture: British, Norwich
- Medium: Wool, woven
- Dimensions: Overall: 97 3/4 × 19 in. (248.3 × 48.3 cm)
- Classification: Textiles-Woven
- Credit Line: Purchase, Bequest of Alfred Duane Pell, by exchange, 2017
- Object Number: 2017.269
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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British, Norwich
ca. 1750
Multiple artists/makers
1668–85
Multiple artists/makers
1769–71
Multiple artists/makers
1769–71
Multiple artists/makers
After 1690
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