Our access to the most exotic textiles in the world prompted us to create a fashion collection of limited editions that change every season.

Tapestry

Tapestry is one of the oldest forms of woven textiles. The word tapestry is defined as 'a thick textile fabric in which coloured weft threads are woven (originally by hand) into fixed warp threads to form pictures or designs'. The earliest written records of woven cloth appear in the biblical text Exodus, Chapter 26 and it is reasonable to assume that the woven fabric referred to was a tapestry-type. Egyptian tomb paintings from circa 3000 BC clearly depict weavers working on a tapestry-type loom and vase illustrations by the Greeks dating back to circa 500 BC show women weavers working at looms

In medieval times, tapestries were one of the most important forms of artistic expression and were commissioned, particularly in the early middle ages, to depict religious scenes. Conditions in which the weavers worked were often cramped and poorly lit and a twelve-year apprenticeship had to be served before one could be regarded as a master weaver. Medieval weavers' guilds, which were male-dominated, prevented women doing anything other than spinning the yarns and so the term spinsters was created.

Today, modern, mechanised jacquard looms, using the same techniques as those used in centuries past, produce reproductions of traditional tapestries. They provide us all with the opportunity, in our own homes, to share in the beauty of magnificent tapestries at realistic prices. Anchini tapestries are very thick and rich in both design and the actual construction. The Gobelin weave (cross stitch) produces a very thick and authentic looking tapestry. Our tapestries are all produced in Italy in the the last factory which can produce this quality.

Anchini offers pillows, bolsters, bed coverlets, bedskirts, table rugs and table runners in tapestries.

Brocade

Brocade is a fabric, originally made from silk, and generally reputed to have been developed to a high state of perfection in the 16th and 17th century in France, Italy, and Spain. However, it actually originated in China and Japan where silk was woven with real silver and gold threads. Motifs may be of flowers, foliage, scrollwork, pastoral scenes, or other design. Brocades, like all other textiles, were changed after the Industrial Revolution.

The new brocades became available to more and more people as the price was reduced. New fibers were introduced. They were no longer solely woven of silk.

Today, all silk brocades are difficult to find! And yet, a brocade remains easily distinguishable from other styles of woven textiles and still immensely popular. Anichini's brocade collection find its historical roots in Italy, but also borrows from other cultures.. Most of our brocades are updated versions of very old designs.

They are woven in Italy and Turkey.

Brocade is often confused with its cousin, damask. Damask is usually reversible, brocade is not. Damask is usually a single color, brocade is not. And finally, brocade is usually woven with several colors while damask is not.

Anchini offers pillows, bolsters, bed coverlets, bedskirts, table rugs, table runners and curtains in Brocade.

For information please email info@anichini.com