The origins of tabletweaving are very murky, and it is doubtful that we'll ever have a complete understanding of the exact dates and locations of its discovery. Certainly the process is simple enough that it may have been developed independently in several regions.
As to Julie's question: We have Anna Neuper's Modelbuch from 1517 to prove that brocaded tabletweaving was still being practiced, but the book's existance also points to the decline of the craft. Anna wrote the book in her old age in order to preserve patterns. That they hadn't been recorded prior to that point goes to show that they hadn't been needed. The introduction of looms and laces caused tabletweaving to decline. It would not have died out instantly. In any society, there are always certain cities prone to "modern fashions", and the courts would have been a prime example. However, clothes (especially those of silk) are not cheap - which is why some places made sumptuary laws controlling expenses. Brocaded tabletweaving is very durable, so there is no way that all the courtiers would have cast aside their expensive trim, and the less fashionable trims were probably passed down to poorer relatives or sold to the merchant and artisan classes. I don't know of any specific examples of English origin, but I'm sure they existed, although they would have been rare by the end of the 1500's. rob schweiter -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Judy Chapman Sent: November 22, 2006 10:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: History of Tablet Weaving Julie Rutter's query is worth discussion on the list. I would like to know more about the origins of tablet weaving and exactly how old it is as I too have read conflicting information. Can anyone comment on this? Judy Tablet Weaving Gallery: http://www.weavershand.com/gallery11.html Could anyone with information for this lady please send it directly to her? Thank you. Nancy Spies In a message dated 11/15/2006 4:00:04 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Dear Nancy, I’m a member of the braid society, and was told that you’re the person to ask about historical Tablet Weaving. Recently I’ve begun to investigate the history of TW and I find a lot of the books vague when it comes to actually dating the technique. I’m aware that TW was used extensively in England in the 15thC, as there are surviving textiles to show this. My period of interest however, is the late Elizabethan period. I wondered if you knew categorically if TW was practised then, and if so could you point me to the sources so that I may look at them myself? Regards Julie Rutter -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.13/546 - Release Date: 11/22/2006
