Tapestry Brussels Carpet process sample; from the Roxbury Carpet Co., Boston, MA; Donated October 8, 1884.
The sample is 25 1/8" in total length, and a selvage width of approx. 27". Of the length, 18 3/4" is woven, and the remainder shows a band of unwoven pile warp and ground warp, and a flat woven narrow band at the bottom to keep the pile warp band intact off the loom. The pattern is printed, before weaving, on the pile warp yarns in an elongated manner to allow for the take-up of the threads in forming the looped pile over wires inserted as the carpet is woven. This method allows for a great variety of Color and more elaborate design in the carpets. Each loop of the face is made up of 3 strands of 2-ply, S-twist worsted wool yarn. The warp chain forming the body or ground is of jute with a second ground warp of cotton; and the filling or ground weft is linen, which also forms the selvage. In weaving, the worsted is kept on the surface, not showing on the back, and is held in place by the upper filling yarn. The ground is off-white, with floral and geometric forms in maroon, red, and red-orange (maroon outlines on some of the leaves); stylized floral and geometric elements in shades of yellow-orange, yellow, and yellow-green. The pattern repeat is incomplete.. The number 2215 is stamped on the reverse (pattern #?)