COLLECTIONS
HISTORIC TEXTILES AND SACRED VESTMENTS
Vestment, Florence, mid-XVIII cent. Two-tone Damascus; silk
Lampas with rosettes, Italian Manufacture (Lucca?), last quarter of XIV cent. Overshot brocade weft lampas; silk, membranous gold
Velvet, Venice, mid-XV cent. Figured cut velvet brocade; silk, spun gold
Fabric with lace motif, Italian manufacture, first quarter of XVIII cent. Overshot brocade weft lampas; silk, spun gold
Textile fragment, Lyon, last quarter of XVIII cent. Striped, painted satin brocade; silk, gouache
Textile fragment, France, mid-XVIII cent. Grosgrain with brocade borders; Silk
Textile fragment, Italy, mid-XVI cent. Figured polychrome velvet; Silk
Griccia motif velvet, Florence, last quarter of XV cent. Figured, cut velvet, overshot silk
Velvet, Turkey, turn of XVI-XVII cent. Figured, cut velvet brocade; silk, cotton, silver
Velvet, Italy (Florence?), turn of XV-XVI, cent. Figured, cut velvet, overshot silk
Velvet, Venice (?), turn of XV-XVI, cent. Figured, cut velvet overshot brocade with boucle effect; silk, spun gold
Velvet, Florence, third quarter of XVI cent. Figured, cisele velvet; silk
Cisele velvet, Florentine manufacture, second half of XVI cent. Silk, gold leaf
Vestment, stole, maniple, Italy, first quarter of XVII cent. Italy, second half of XVIII cent. Cisele velvet; silk; Satin chiné à la branche; silk
Historic textiles and sacred vestments: embroidered and printed textiles produced in Europe and dating from the thirteenth to the twentieth century, present in a vast array of types (velvets, tapestries, Perugia tablecloths, damasks, lampas) and decorative forms that illustrate the most significant moments in the development of European production.
EMBROIDERED TEXTILES
Preliminary model for a bag, India for the British market, second half of XIX cent. Embroidered taffeta; Embroidered application of beetle wings, couched stitch in spun silver
Border, Italy, turn of XVI-XVII cent. Point coupe with needlepoint inserts; linen picot
Border, Italy, c. 1630. Needle lace with braided edges. 75.01.575> embroidery 010 – Embroidered fabric, Italy, last quarter of XVI cent.
Embroidered fabric, Italy, last quarter of XVI cent. Embroidered linen cloth; running stitch, cross stitch satin stitch; silk
Embroidered fabric fragment, Florence, XV cent. Frisé velvet with overshot weave; silk, silver and gold
Embroidered fabric, Subject: Pieta, Italy, first quarter of XVII cent. embroidered cloth; linen, silk, spun silver
Embroidered border, Italy, second half of XVI cent. Embroidered cloth; linen, silk, spun gold
Panel, Italy, first half of XVII cent. Embroidered cut velvet; silk, spun silver and gold, silver and gold leaf, silver and gold purl, twisted gold, silver paillettes. Damascus; silk
Sash, Italian manufacture, second half of XVI cent. Embroidered cloth; linen, silk, spun gold
Fragment of embroidered fabric, Florentine manufacture, end of XVI cent. Satin applique embroidery; silk, silver and gold interfacing, spun gold, silver purl
Cushion, Morocco (Azemmour), last quarter of XVII cent. Embroidered cloth; linen, silk
Games bag, French manufacture, second half of XVII cent. Embroidered cut velvet; silk, spun gold, gold-plated silver purl
Border, Italy (?), XVII cent. Point coupe on linen; needlepoint inserts, buttonhole stitch in linen; satin stitch embroidery in polychrome silk; glass beads
Border fragment, Binche or Valenciennes, end of XVII cent. Continuous bobbin lace; linen
Embroidered textiles and artefacts: samples of Italian and European embroidery featured on articles dating from the fifteenth to the twentieth century, or received through historical collections in a fragmentary condition.
ETHINIC TEXTILES AND GARMENTS
Fabric, North Africa, turn of XIV-XV cent. Diagonal overshot and brocade weft; silk
Ganeshtapan (pannello devozionale), India occidentale, secolo XX. Tela di cotone ricamata; ricamo a punto ombra sul Dritto, punto catenella, punto in croce, applicazione Di specchietti; cotone, seta
Medallion with dragon, China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Kesi; silk, gold brocade
Sari, India (Varanasi), first half of XX cent. Iridescent overshot brocade taffetat; silk
Wedding Veil (doshalo), India (Rajasthan), last quarter of XIX cent. Tie-dyed cotton cloth with embroidery; Silk satin stitch, chain stitch, application of mirrors, glass
Panel (hinggi), Sumba (Indonesia), mid-XX cent. Cotton ikat cloth with overshot weft
Traditional sarong fabric, Indonesia, first half of XX cent. Taffeta with brocade weft; Silk, cotton
Palampore panel, India (Andhra Pradesh), end of XIX cent. Printed, painted chintz cloth; cotton, natural and metallic pigment
Traditional Yemeni costume – Thob, Yemen (Tihama region), XX cent. Cotton satin with embroidery; Integration of overshot and plain silk fabrics; Woven passementerie; cotton, silver leaf; cords; cotton, silver leaf
Shoowa, Central Africa, Kuba culture, XX cent. Woven raffia with velvet-effect embroidery
Oshie doll, Japan, Edo period (1603-1868) later period. Silk crêpe (chirimen) resist dyed (Kanoko shibori), overshot Lampas (nishiki); silk, gold brocade; Tempera on taffeta
Japanese Fabric, Japan, mid-XIX cent. Overshot lampas and gold brocade; silk
Textile fragment, Spain, XV cent. Overshot lampas; silk
Textile fragment with inscription, Spain, turn of XIV-XV cent. Overshot lampas; silk
Ethnic textiles and garments: a collection of great historical and anthropological interest, including textiles from India, Indonesia, Yemen, Central and South America, China and Japan, which, with their decorations and symbology, recall the importance of textile art as a valid instrument of social communication.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEXTILES
Tirāz fragment with inscription, Fatimid Egypt, XI cent. Slit tapestry; wool, linen
Fringe, Peru, Proto-Nazca culture, 200 B.C. -100 B.C. Knitted camelid wool
Clavus fragment, Egypt, Coptic culture, A.D. VI cent. Slit tapestry made with flying shuttle; wool
Clavus fragment, Egypt, Coptic culture, A.D. IV cent. Slit tapestry made with flying shuttle; linen, wool
Clavus fragment, Egypt, Coptic culture, sec. A.D. V – VI cent. Slit tapestry made with flying shuttle; wool
Textile, Chancay Culture, Late intermediate period (XIII-XV). Slit tapestry; wool, vegetable fibres
Textile fragment, Peru, Late Intermediate Period (A.D. 1200-1476). Canvas; wool; Slit tapestry; wool
Archaeological textiles: a rare collection of textile fragments from excavations or burials, belonging to Coptic culture (III-X century AD) and pre-Columbian culture (Late Intermediate Period).
SAMPLES FROM PRATO
Swatch sampler, Prato, last quarter of XIX cent, Alessandro Pacchiani company
Page of a sampler book, Trinidad article, Compagnia Tessile s.p.a., Montemurlo (PO) c. 1980. Figured textile in linen blend with colour notes in the warp and weft.
Page of a sampler book, Prato 1902, La Romita company
Swatch sampler, Prato Spring/Summer 1966-67, Lanificio Novitex
Swatch of shawl with fringe, reclaimed wool and cotton, Prato 1937, Lanificio Forti
Sampler book, France 1925-1930. Printed fabrics with metallic pigments
Claude Frères sampler book, France, Winter 1889. Figured wool fabrics
Samples from Prato: a collection of sample books from the longest-established companies in the Prato district, documenting the evolution of production and the changes in taste and style from the last quarter of the nineteenth century up to the contemporary period.
SKETCHES AND ARTIST'S TEXTILES
Ernesto Michahelles (artist name Thayaht); Fashion design for Maison Vionnet, pencil and watercolour on paper. 1920-25
Page of a swatch book, Raoul Dufy; Lyon, Bianchini et Férier, 1912-1928. Printed silk satin; metallic pigment. Printed paper
Page of a swatch book, Raoul Dufy for Maison Bianchini – Férier de Lyon 1918-1930. Printed silk grosgrain. Watercolour on paper; pochoir
Printed fabric, Mariano Fortuny; Venice, 1930-1940. Diagonally printed cotton
“Strawberry Thief” upholstery fabric, William Morris, 1883, Merton Abbey Mills (London). Printed cotton canvas, block printed
Ernesto Michahelles (artist name Thayaht); Fashion design for Maison Vionnet, pencil and watercolour on paper. 1920-25
– Printed ‘Cimarosa’ fabric. Mariano Fortuny; Venice, 1930-1940. Diagonally printed cotton
Sketches and artist's textiles: which include examples created by artists from the first half of the twentieth century (Raoul Dufy and Thayaht) and contemporary artists (Giò Pomodoro and Bruno Munari), who found an expressive form for their creativity in textiles.
CONTEMPORARY FABRICS
Technical textile in steel and polyester, Prato-based company, 2001. 85% polyester, 15% steel
Fabric with devorée print, Prato-based company, Spring/Summer 2008. 55% cotton, 45% silk
Fabric for bags and accessories, Prato-based company, 2002. 87% viscose, 15% polyester, 1% polyamide
Optical fibre fabric, Prato-based company, 2003. Optical fibres, polyamide
Laser cut fabric, Prato-based company, Autumn/Winter 2007-08. 75% polyester, 25% polyamide
Misdyed and embroidered fabric, Prato-based company, Spring/Summer 2007, 75% linen, 13% viscose, 12 % cotton
– Jacquard fabric with ogival link design, Prato-based company, Spring/Summer 2007. 44% cotton, 32% acetate, 19% polyester, 5% polyamide
Contemporary fabrics: a selection of fabrics produced in the Prato district of particular importance for the technological innovation and expression of fashion trends since 1976, the year that the Prato Espone textile fair was inaugurated, which later became Prato Expo, up until recent years.
GARMENTS AND ACCESSORIES
Formal gown, Italian Tailoring, 1966/68. Silk satin. Needlepoint embroidery, plastic beads and pendants
Evening Dress, Italy (?), c. 1910. Silk crêpe. Needlepoint embroidery; glass beads
– Abito da sposa con scialle di Maria Carmela Centineo, Sartoria palermitana, 1912, Tessuto Jacquard ad effetto damascato; seta, Merletto meccanico; cotone.
Wedding dress worn by Liliana Ciolini, Florentine Tailoring, 1947. Viscose crêpe.
Woman’s suit, manufactured in Prato, c. 1965-69. Printed wool crêpe; viscose cloth lining.
Woman’s parasol, manufactured by Giovanni Gilardini Florence, turn of XIX-XX cent. Silk taffeta, silk cord, silver, glass, natural and lacquered wood
Woman’s jacket, Redfern Ltd. Paris, turn of XIX-XX cent. Wool blend flannel; silk cannelé, printed taffeta; linen interfacing
Court dress, Naples, c. 1848. Silk grosgrain. Embroidered in outline long and short stitch in purl, spun gold, laminated gold; application of golden paillettes
Waistcoat, France c. 1795 – 1805. Triple weave Pékin crêpe with liserés effect; silk; linen cloth lining; embroidery in polychrome silks and silver paillettes
Woman’s shirt, Italy, second half of XVI cent. Linen canvas. Silk embroidery. Linen bobbin lace
“La Marseillaise chant national par Rouget de Lisle”, Lyon, Tassinari & Chatel company, Publisher: Bernoux & Cumin, c. 1899-1917, artist Eugène Grasset, Printer Travart & Billiet. Silk jacquard fabric
Prayer book, Lyon – J. A. Henry Company, 1886-1887, Binding: manufactured by Kauffmann – Horclois, Publisher: A. Roux, Printer and design: R. P. J. Hervier. Silk jacquard fabric
Formal gown worn by Beatrice Verity Manners, Florence, last decade of XIX cent. Skirt: Florentine tailor: Textured silk fabric, silk crêpe, linen bobbin lace. Blouse: L. Rinaldini e nipote, Florence: Cotton cloth. silk crêpe, cotton needlepoint embroidery, iron-cut beads
Garments and accessories: a collection of clothing that bears witness to the evolution of costume from the sixteenth century to the present day. Among these, the Museum is home to a selection of examples from major film productions made with textiles manufactured in Prato.
Machinery: manual looms, fulling equipment, a willowing machine, weaving preparation tools such as spinning machines, winders, warpers, manufactured in Italy and, in some cases, the result of elaborations and devices made on-site for production in Prato.
Fashion plates: a collection of approximately 1,700 male and female figurines from major French and Italian magazines published in the 19th century.
