Courtauld Limited Promotional Booklets
Circa 1925-1926
Courtaulds Limited was a major UK manufacturer of textiles and artificial fibers that pioneered the mass production of “artificial silk”, later known as rayon, in the early 20th century.
The company produced a wide variety of fabrics including materials suitable for home furnishings such as brocades and tapestries and textiles suitable for fashion such as crepe-de-chine and georgette. These textiles were often featured in promotional material to promote the use of artificial silk over silk and other materials.
By the late 1920s Courtauld Limited had become the frontrunner in artificial silk production. As well the major advancement in the weaving of rayon fabrics, artificial silk became a leading textile in the fashion world. The first Artificial Silk Exhibition at Holland Park Hall, London, took place in 1926 and Courtaulds Limited launched its new head office at St Martin’s-le-Grand also in 1926, after outgrowing its previous premises.
Artificial Silks, Tapestries and Brocade was produced to promote the production of artificial silk for furnishing purposes and illustrates the important rooms in the house that can be improved with Courtauld weavings. In the introduction it is written Courtaulds Limited has created “a collection of distinguished textures that for sheer variety and beauty, as well as for more practical excellences, has no parallel in the world.”
The Lure of Silk similarly advocates the use of artificial silks in both fashion and furnishings and emphasises the brilliance of artificial silk’s “richer lustre”.
“How could any material even equal silk, much less excel it, in lustre or any other attribute of silken beauty. But here was the fact staring me in the face. The outstanding beauty of that beautiful tapestry was undoubtedly – its artificial silk.” – The Lure of Silk
