The Lotus Collection in San Francisco is a long-standing secret treasure trove for designers and textile enthusiasts. Tucked away in the historic Jackson Square, a district famed for distinguished art and antique dealers, The Lotus Collection is a source of antique European, Asian, and Ethnic textiles.
I've had the pleasure to learn a thing or two about the world of antique textiles this summer from Kathleen Taylor and her exclusive collection. It's been quite the journey discovering an endless assortment of textile designs from all over the world through the centuries. In my treasure hunts through her vast inventory I fell in love with so many.
F02-1488 c. 1925 French printed silk (Bianchini Ferier, Raoul Dufy?) blue on white, "Indienne."
F08-1789 c. 1925 French Art Deco silk
brocade with gold metallic, blue and pale blue silk thread woven in a
dynamic wave design inspired by textiles from China and Japan.
F06-1704BA Pillow made from c. 1750 French coral colored silk ground with gold metallic brocade in a stylized floral and lace pattern.
The reasons I'm drawn to a particular textile always amuses me. It may be just the right color, or texture, or combination. Or, a specific textile brings me good feelings or brings back a fond memory. And maybe it's the excitement of seeing something so elaborately crafted and one-of-a-kind.
F03-1570 18th century Italian striped chine silk with white and fuchsia chine (ikat) and chevron patterned in green, yellow, and white stripes.
I94-2067 D, E One of three pillows made from 17th century Italian silk flame stitch, top border.
12-8176 18th century French silk
brocade with a tobacco colored ground brocaded with peach, yellow,
metallic gold, and white flowers and leaves.
I love that antique textiles have a lasting property as their purpose can be redefined over time. A special textile can be used on a pillow for comfort and later framed as a keepsake. The possibilities are endless.
ME11-6231 Late 19th or early 20th
century from Punjab, India silk floss embroidery on red cotton called a
phulkari (shawl), embroidered in white large & gold diamond design
outlined in green. Large gold colored embroidered borders at top and
bottom.
C09-4328 Early 20th century wedding
quilt cover Zhuang people, Guangxi Prov., south China, made of cotton
and silk brocaded in a geometric pattern in brown and blue. Composed
of three widths.
C12-4366 Early to mid 20th century 2
panel wedding bed cover made by Miao or Buyi people, Guizhou Province,
southern China, with weft faced compound weave and supplementary weft
weave in yellow tan and brown colors
A09-7112 An unusual early 20th
century Kuba (Dem. Rep. of Congo) velvet made from rafia with
checkerboard diamond shapes, diamond shapes half dark and diamond shapes
with dark square centers.
A08-7107 A mid 20th century Nigerian,
'Yoruba Aso Oke Cloth' Sanyan wild silk and cotton with yellow alaari
stripes, eyelets and weft stringing.
Kathleen's passion for textiles leads her to travel to all corners of the world for continued discoveries. Upon returns, her findings are a always a source of inspiration and knowledge on the fascinating world of textiles. The inspiration I've obtained from Kathleen's collection has already made impressions on my soul that will last a lifetime.
ME12-6239 19th century N.W. Persia white cotton cover (jajim) with pale indigo colored stripes with alternating bands of solid blue, zig zag blue, and solid white. Use of cotton is unusual for a jajim which is usually made with silk or wool.