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Contents
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1History
2Modern usage
3See also
4References
History[edit]
Damask with floral sprigs, Italy, Baroque, 1600-1650, silk two-tone damask
The production of damask was one of the five basic weaving techniquesthe others
being tabby, twill, lampas, and tapestryof the Byzantine and Islamic weaving centres of
the early Middle Ages.[3] Damasks derive their name from the city of Damascusin that period a large
city active both in trading (as part of the silk road) and in manufacture.[4] Damasks became scarce after
the 9th century outside of Islamic Spain, but were revived in some places in the 13th century.[3]
The word "damask" first appeared in records in a Western European language in the mid-14th century
in French.[5] By the 14th century, damasks were being woven on draw looms in Italy. From the 14th to
16th century, most damasks were woven in one colour with a glossy warp-faced satin pattern against a
duller ground. Two-colour damasks had contrasting colour warps and wefts, and polychrome damasks
added gold and other metallic threads or additional colours as supplemental brocading wefts. Medieval
damasks were usually woven in silk, but weavers also produced wool and linen damasks.[2]
Modern usage[edit]
See also[edit]
Diapering (damask patterns in heraldry)
References[edit]
1.
^ Jump up to:a b Kadolph, Sara J., ed.: Textiles, 10th edition, Pearson/PrenticeHall, 2007, ISBN 0-13-118769-4, p. 251
2.
^ Jump up to:a b Monnas, Lisa. Merchants, Princes and Painters: Silk Fabrics in
Italian and Northern Paintings 1300-1550. New Haven, Yale University Press, 2008, pp.
295299
3.
^ Jump up to:a b Jenkins, David T., ed.: The Cambridge History of Western
Textiles, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2003, ISBN 0-521-34107-8, p.
343.
4.
5.