Objekt 2129
International line of commerce
Description
For more than two centuries, silk ribbon manufacture was Basel’s main
industry. It was the Huguenot religious refugees of the late 16th century
who, with their knowledge, connections and financial clout, had revived
Basel’s textile sector. The silk ribbons were produced by homeworkers in
the surrounding countryside. The great Basel silk ribbon and trading companies
had worldwide business interests even in the 18th century. Sample
books like this one demonstrate the rich colour spectrum that the silk dyeworks
were able to provide.
Object description
Sample book of the silk ribbon company Emanuel Hoffmann-Werthemann (1739-1807)
Basel, c. 1770/1780
paper, leather, cuttings of silk ribbons
donated by Emanuel Hoffmann-Eglin, Basel
Inv. 1917.887.