Piece 1785 - 1799

This fabric was produced by the Oberkampf Manufactory in France, a textile company founded in 1760. Textiles like this one played a crucial role in the economic and social life of 18th-century Europe. The printed floral design references the popularity of Indian textiles and the fashion for exotic patterns. The French textile industry was heavily regulated, and production depended on the importation of raw materials from colonies. It's worth considering how the fashion for textiles impacted global trade networks and colonial labor practices. Textile mills like Oberkampf became important sites of innovation in the industrial revolution. These early factories created new social relations between owners, managers, and workers, leading to both wealth and exploitation. By researching the history of textile production, we can better understand how the politics of fashion are linked to the larger forces of economic globalization. Museum collections, trade records, and design archives are key resources for uncovering these connections.