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Materials Glossary Details

Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection Read more about this collection »

TypeMaterials Glossary; Weave Structures Common in Chinese Textiles

Term Brocade Alternate Term(s) supplementary weft patterning Type Materials Glossary; Weave Structures Common in Chinese Textiles Definition

Brocade describes a type of woven fabric that features a multi-coloured pattern created using a discontinuous supplementary weft structure. Brocade is easily identified by the long floats on the backside of the…

Brocade describes a type of woven fabric that features a multi-coloured pattern created using a discontinuous supplementary weft structure. Brocade is easily identified by the long floats on the backside of the fabric, which occur when the colourful weft yarns are not in use on the surface design. These floats make the fabric slightly thicker than other multi-coloured fabrics, such as tapestry. Brocade fabric can have a variety of ground fabrics, including twill, plain weave, leno, and satin. Brocade is woven on a complex loom (called a “drawloom”) that is operated by two weavers: one on the top of the loom (“drawboy”) and a second craftsperson operating the lower section.


Related Definitions:


Fiber: Natural (plant or animal) or synthetic material formed into a thread that is longer than it is wide.


Warp: lengthwise yarn that runs from the top to the bottom of the fabric. This yarn is typically held stationary during weaving.


Weft (or Fill or Filling Yarns): crosswise yarn that runs selvedge to selvedge, under and over the warp yarns in varying patterns to create different weave structures.


Yarn: A continuous length of interlocked fibers, which may or may not be twisted.

Plain Weave (or Tabby Weave): the most basic weave structure that consists of one warp and one weft thread intersecting at a right angle. The front and backside of the resulting fabric are the same.


Satin Weave: Four or more weft yarns intersecting with a warp yarn, or vice versa. The resulting floats, which are sections of the yarn that do not intersect, appear on the face of the fabric, producing a very glossy, smooth, and flat appearance.


Twill Weave: one weft thread passing over one or more warp threads and then under two or more warp threads creating diagonal ridges, which are the identifying feature of the resulting fabric.


Leno: A type of gauze fabric in which two or more warp yarns (up to four) are twisted around a weft yarn to produce a strong but fine, loose, and open fabric.

© 2022 University of Alberta
© 2022 University of Alberta

Citation

Page Citation for Brocade

Page Citation

"Materials Glossary Details - Brocade, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/8-272225/21-19251. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.

Object Information

There are 268 objects associated with this Materials Glossary Term

2005.5.409 - Embroidered Blue Silk Fragmentary Panel

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typepanel Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.413 - Silk Tapestry Weave Hanging

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typehanging Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.415 - Yellow Silk Tobacco Pouch

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typetobacco pouch Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.418 - Silk Tapestry Weave Hanging

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typehanging Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.419 - Silk Tapestry Weave Fragmentary Canopy

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typecanopy Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.421 - Brown Silk Velvet and Gold Silk Brocade Fragmentary Hanging

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typehanging Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.422 - Embroidered Silk Circular Panel

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typepanel Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.423 - Embroidered Cream Silk Panel

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typepanel Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.427 - Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madeca. 1900

2005.5.428 - Yellow Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.429 - Yellow Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.430 - Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madeca. 1900

2005.5.431 - Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.432 - Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madeca. 1900

2005.5.434 - Blue Silk Brocade Hanging

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typehanging Artistunknown Date Made1662-1722

2005.5.437 - Green and Gold Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.442 - Red Silk Brocade

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typeyardage Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.443 - Pieced Silk Velvet Fragmentary Hanging

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typehanging Artistunknown Date Made1600-1650

2005.5.444 - Brown Silk Velvet Panel

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typepanel Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.446 - Silk Brocade Tibetan Chuba for a Man

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typerobe Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

2005.5.450 - Silk Velvet Fragmentary Panel

Mactaggart Art Collection

Object Typepanel Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown