Textiles -- A 2pp. manuscript letter in Italian, signed and dated 3 April 1660, from Dirona Maribiani of Livorno to the Marchesa Soderini Capponi of Florence, 2pp. folio with integral address leaf, with (pasted onto the second page) five samples of the silk proposed for various gowns, small pieces in different colours and textures, the price in lira noted for each -- [Instructions for Dyeing Cotton] 'Verfahren, Um Gewobene Baumwollene Stuecke Tuerkisch Rot Zu Faerben', a 24 leaf manuscript on paper, written in a neat, legible hand, primarily in German but with some French and German text in parallel columns, dated 1825, 8vo, contemporary boards. (2)

Details

Textiles -- A 2pp. manuscript letter in Italian, signed and dated 3 April 1660, from Dirona Maribiani of Livorno to the Marchesa Soderini Capponi of Florence, 2pp. folio with integral address leaf, with (pasted onto the second page) five samples of the silk proposed for various gowns, small pieces in different colours and textures, the price in lira noted for each -- [Instructions for Dyeing Cotton] 'Verfahren, Um Gewobene Baumwollene Stuecke Tuerkisch Rot Zu Faerben', a 24 leaf manuscript on paper, written in a neat, legible hand, primarily in German but with some French and German text in parallel columns, dated 1825, 8vo, contemporary boards. (2)

Lot Essay

Imported silk for the dress of noble ladies in Florence came via the port of Livorno. In the second manuscript, detailed instructions and recipes are given for the treatment of cotton cloth, to be dyed 'Turkish' red, also lilac and violet tints. There are tables to determine the amount of dye needed for certain amounts of cloth. Additional recipes for metal oxides, acids and salts are pasted onto the inner covers. A 2pp. manuscript letter, dated 1879, from the Swiss Dye-house Buerkli-Meyer of Zurich is enclosed. This deals with the preparation of Chinese silk, the 'Zuericher Seiden-Crepon'.

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