Mary Schoeser

An updated edition of this indispensable reference, surveying the history of textiles from 25,000 years ago to the present. The history of textiles, more than that of any other artefact, is a history of human ingenuity. From the very earliest needles of 50,000 years ago to the smart textiles of today, textiles have been fundamental to human existence, and enjoyed, prized and valued by every culture. Silks from China, cottons from India, tapestries from Flanders, dyes from South America – the appeal of different weaves, colours and patterns was long a motivation for trade, the exchange of ideas and sometimes even war. Mary Schoeser’s groundbreaking book, now revised and updated to incorporate new research, presents a chronological survey of textiles around the world from prehistory to the present. It explores how they are made, what they are made from, how they function in society and the ways in which they are valued and given meaning as well as reflecting on the environmental challenges they present today. World Textiles offers an invaluable introduction to this vast and fascinating subject for makers, designers, textile and fashion professionals, collectors and students alike.

This extensively illustrated volume focuses on William Morris (1834–1896), placing his wallpaper designs within the context of the radical changes in taste witnessed during the Victorian era. Against a backdrop of the fanciful, naturalistic patterns that typified fashionable papers in Morris’s youth, the impact of the Reform Movement of the mid-19th century is underscored, particularly the reformers' crusade against such multi-coloured ornamental decoration. Instead, the insistence on the concepts of honesty and propriety as promoted by A. W. N. Pugin and Owen Jones, are demonstrated as influences on Morris. The role of imported Japanese wallpapers is also explored, giving insight into a seldom-discussed cultural exchange evidenced within the story of Morris & Co, which produced wallpapers from 1864 until 1940 and, after a post-war hiatus, from the 1960s to the present. Amplifying Morris’s role in the creation of an influential and lasting style, his work is set within a selection by other designers, including Christopher Dresser and C. F. A. Voysey. Also introduced are firms of significance including Jeffrey & Co. and Arthur Sanderson & Sons, both of whom block-printed the Morris wallpapers. In a highly visual presentation, what is revealed are influences across time and within a global context, as pertinent to the creation of wallpaper art in the 19th century as it is today.

Textiles are the most ubiquitous, diverse and consistently creative art form on earth. This book celebrates like no other on the subject their spectacular and enduring appeal. Mary Schoeser marshals knowledge gleaned from a lifetime’s immersion in the textile arts to present a sweeping survey of the role textiles have played throughout all of human civilization. Over a thousand historical and contemporary images and highly informed texts illustrate the huge variety of materials, as well as their possible manipulations and surface treatments. Detailed descriptions include histories of private collections and underscore the importance of context for appreciating the exquisite detail of fabric and cloth, with emphasis on geometric, abstract, natural and pictorial imagery. An extensive resource section provides information about museum and textile associations around the world, making this sumptuous publication the one book that all lovers of textiles will covet.

This attractive series reveals the V&A's spectacular and extensive pattern collections. Each title in the series includes a free CD of high resolution images. Heal's showcases the mid-twentieth century fabrics of this retail institution as commissioned by director and visionary Tom Worthington. The compact disc at the back of the book invites you to appreciate the ingenuity of the designs, and the endless possibilities for their application.

This attractive series reveals the V&A's spectacular and extensive pattern collections. Each title in the series includes a free CD of high resolution images. This limited edition collector's slipcase contains four books celebrating the variety of British pattern in the V&A collections - Modern British Designers, Heal's, Liberty & Co. and Sanderson.

This attractive series reveals the V&A's spectacular and extensive pattern collections. Each title in the series includes a free CD of high resolution images. Sanderson showcases the wallpapers and textiles of this most British of manufacturers. Each V&A Pattern book is an introduction to the Victoria and Albert Museum’s extraordinarily diverse design archives. The museum has more than three million designs for textiles, decorations, wallpapers and prints; some well-known, others less so. This series explores pattern-making in all its forms, across the world and through the centuries. The books are intended to be both beautiful and useful – showing patterns to enjoy in their own right and as inspiration for new design.

Mary Schoeser’s groundbreaking book presents a chronological survey of textiles around the world from prehistory to the present day, exploring how they are made, what they are made from, how they function in society, and the ways in which they are used and given meaning.From the very earliest needles of twenty-five thousand years ago, to the `techno textiles’ of today, textiles have been fundamental to human existence – enjoyed, prized and valued by every culture. Silks from China, cottons from India, tapestries from Flanders, dyes from South America, the ravishing appeal of different weaves, colours and patterns was long the motivation for trade, the exchange of ideas, and sometimes even war.World Textiles is the perfect introduction to this vast and fascinating subject, invaluable for makers, designers, textile and fashion professionals, collectors and students alike.