Textiles

Taxonomy

Details / Notes

Since its opening in 1845, The Glasgow School of Art has been connected to textile design and production.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries the School aimed to train local designers to produce patterns for the textile industry in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. In the 1890s, the School's embroidery department was established and soon became famous for the Glasgow Style pieces its staff and students produced (examples of such work are housed in the School's collections).

Jessie Newberry (1864-1948), the first head of this department, encouraged her students to study historical designs and textiles in order to understand different embroidery techniques and to use these items as a source of inspiration for the development of new original work. This teaching ethos continued to be used in the 20th century during which time the School also developed courses in textile printing, weave and knit.

A large number of the items in the School's collection are related to The Needlework Development Scheme (1934-1962). This scheme, sponsored by J & P Coats of Paisley, collected examples of embroidery from a variety of geographical and historical areas and made them available for use by educational institutions and embroidery groups. The scheme aimed to encouraging greater interest in needlework, and to improve the standard of embroidery techniques and designs. When the scheme ended, its collections were disseminated to a variety of organisations. The Glasgow School of Art received 125 items dating from 1652-1961 and originating from Britain, Europe and Asia.

Amongst other items of note in the School's collections are weave sample books from Donald Brothers Ltd, Dundee and examples of work by Kath Whyte (1909-1996), GSA's former Head of Embroidery, and her students.

Related publications:

Liz Arthur, Textile Treasures at the Glasgow School of Art;

Liz Arthur, The Unbroken Thread: A Century of Embroidery at Glasgow School of Art;

Thomasina Beck, Glasgow Girls: Women in Art and Design 1880-1920;

Kathleen Whyte, Design in Embroidery;

R.Oddy. Embroideries from Needlework development scheme;

J. Taylor, The Glasgow School of Embroidery in 'The Studio';

Needlework development scheme, Contemporary Embroideries;

Margaret Swanson, Needlecraft in School;

Margaret Swanson; Needle craft for Older Girls;

Margaret Swanson, Needle craft and Psychology;

Margaret Swanson and Ann Macbeth, Educational Needle craft.

Code

S2

Scope note(s)

Source note(s)

Hierarchical terms

Textiles

Equivalent terms

Textiles

Associated terms

Textiles

1915 Archival description results for Textiles

Ascending

1915 results directly related Exclude narrower terms

Abstract textile design

Abstract forms are painted onto a pink ink painted surface. A fibrous semi-transparent material is stitched onto the surface of the paper outlining the forms in purple thread. Some pieces of the tracing paper and material have been deducted in the shape of the figures to reveal the painted background. Similar in material, style and medium to DC 089/1/2/4/45

Some of this material was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Paper conservation took place in 2018. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.

Taylor, Fraser

Abstract textile design

Abstract forms are painted onto a sheet of tracing paper and adhered to a pink ink painted surface. A fibrous semi-transparent material is stitched onto the surface of the paper outlining the forms in blue thread. Some pieces of the tracing paper and material have been deducted in the shape of the figures to reveal the painted ground.

Some of this material was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Paper conservation took place in 2018. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.

Taylor, Fraser

Anne Scott Doll Collection

  • DC 038
  • Collection
  • c1956

The collection consists of 27 dolls all dressed in period costume. They are composed of various mixed media including fabrics, metal, glass, plastics, feathers and furs.

This collection was damaged in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014 and is awaiting conservation.

Scott, Anne

Apron

Portuguese. Part of peasant costume. Closely woven in red wool on white warp. Geometric design in bright colours in loom embroidery - extra weft pulled up in loops on the surface Yellow braid waistband, and pink braid edges.

Not available / given

Apron

British. Scallop-edged cream taffeta apron. Silk and metal threads. Symmetrical floral design incorporating metal thread areas padded with cord. Extensive use of pearl and sequins. Framed.

Not available / given

'Arabesque' placemat

'Arabesque' placemat

Brown placemat with white fringed edges. Features a geometric design and is labelled "Arabesque; a two coloured placemat in chocolate and biscuit by Sylvia Chalmers"

Chalmers, Sylvia

Armchair cover

Rectangular yellow armchair cover. Thought to be by Ann Macbeth. This item was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.

Not available / given

Art and design work by Rose Valentine

  • DC 113
  • Fonds
  • c1915
  • 3 x decorated leather bags
  • 1 x embossed leather sample
  • 1 decorated leather folder
  • 1 x copy of Le Cuir Compositions Décoratives by Jehan Raymond
  • 6 x oil paintings
  • 2 x embroidered pieces relating to Educational Needlecraft scheme: 1 mat with running stitch border and 1 drawstring bag with running stitch border
  • 1 x embroidered pin cushion
  • 1 x embroidered cloth bag with wooden clasp
  • 1 x square Glasgow Style embroidery (possibly the front of a cushion cover)
  • 1 x sachet decorated with embroidered flowers
  • 1 x embroidered square mat

Please note that this material is not yet fully catalogued and therefore some items may not be accessible to researchers.

Valentine, Rose

Art, Design and Architecture collection

  • NMC
  • Collection
  • 13th century to early 21st century

Artworks, design pieces and architectural designs related to Glasgow School of Art staff and students.

Items include

  • oil paintings
  • ilk screen prints
  • lithograph prints
  • prints
  • photographs
  • sketches
  • sketch books
  • drawings
  • watercolours
  • collage
  • metalwork, sculpture and ceramics.

Almost all works are by former students and staff or figures related to the history of The Glasgow School of Art. The earliest pieces date from the 16th century and later examples have been purchased from recent Degree Shows. The work is in a variety of media and includes drawings, paintings, prints, sketchbooks, furniture and sculpture. Artists represented include many key figures and the most influential and successful students.

There are also several works from former tutors including Neil Dallas Brown, David Donaldson and Fred Selby, alongside contemporary works by students, donated or purchased at degree show. Key works include those by: Maurice Greiffenhagen, Francis Newbery, John Quinton Pringle, Benno Schotz, Ian Fleming and James D Robertson. Suites of note include large collections of Joan Eardley sketches and paintings, Joan Palmer prints, and architectural drawings by Eugene Bourdon.

Not available / given

Artistic dress and essay

Artistic Dress made by a third year Interior Design student as a project for the 'Artistic Dress - Fashion, Style and identity' course.  Full length, long sleeved 'A' line dress in dark blue, with a square neck and a central panel of applique in stylized floral shapes in cream, beige and lemon, with an orange/gold ribbon edging to the area.  Also, an essay about Artistic dress and making a dress inspired by her studies.

Broger, Anna

Results 1 to 50 of 1915

  • Results

  • 1915

  • No. narrower terms

  • 0