A length of Mallinson's rayon pile silk ground transparent velvet fabric: "Orchid tissue Velvet". Sheer, almost transparent, plain weave fabric having a Japan silk base and rayon pile. Piece dyed in solid colors. This example dyed tan. Other samples: T05751.A (black) and T05751.B.(beige). Mfr's quality # 159. This color is mfr # 6253. Transparent velvet was a marketing name beginning in the 1920s for a solid cut pile woven on a sheer ground, giving a very soft hand. Transparent velvets were also usually rayon pile on a silk ground..