Silk has been highly valued throughout history and even today is considered the ultimate in luxury – but how much do we really know about the origins and manufacture of this exclusive material?
According to ancient traditions the origin of silk dates back to China sometime around 2,700BC. When silk was first discovered it was reserved exclusively for use by the Emperor, his closest family and the dignitaries of the Imperial Court. The Chinese were highly protective of their monopoly on silk production and for thousands of years it remained shrouded in mystery. Silk quickly became an integral and lucrative part of the Chinese economy and was traded with other countries along an ancient network of trade routes that became known as the Silk Road or Silk Route. These routes linked China with Central Asia, Persia and India before reaching the bazaars of Istanbul and the markets of Venice and other Italian cities.
Although these ancient routes take their name from the trade in Chinese silk many other goods were traded along the Silk Road. In the Middle Ages, metals, spices, grain and medicines were all transported by conveys of horses and camels. Large guest houses, called caravanserais, were established on the routes to welcome the travelling merchants – the remains of many of these early ‘travel inns’ can still be seen today.
As they developed, the Silk Routes became vast trade networks that criss-crossed dramatic landscapes – but they became so much more than just a market place as they cut across borders, opening up political, economic and cultural ties between civilisations.
SILK PRODUCTION
Over the years, fabric manufacturers have developed ‘faux silks’ which are realistic, less costly alternatives but despite this ‘real’ silk remains in a class of its own. It is lightweight, looks lustrous and certainly feels luxurious. It is surprisingly strong as one filament of silk is stronger than a comparable filament of steel!
True silk is woven from the fibres produced by the silkworm to make its cocoon and these silkworms feed entirely on the leaves of mulberry trees. Sericulture (the cultivation of silk worms) is now big business with China producing 80% of the world’s silk. India, China, Japan, Brazil and Thailand are also big producers.
A few other interesting facts about silk
- the average cocoon contains a single continuous thread of raw silk about 2/3rds of mile long
- silkworms need to consume the leaves of more than 25 mulberry trees to produce 7lbs of silk
- it takes around 2500 silkworms to produce 1lb of raw silk
- the average silk dress requires about 155lbs of raw silk
- silk accounts for only 0.2% of the global textile market but in monetary terms is much higher as the unit price of silk is around 20 times that of raw cotton
- the methods for twisting and weaving the silk have hardly changed for 5000 years
USING SILK FOR HOME DÉCOR
Silk, with its beautifully soft lustre, will add a rich look to the décor in almost any room and it can be used for curtains, drapes, cushions and bed linen. Silk bedsheets are considered the ultimate in luxury and will certainly create the rich, glamorous and seductive look seen in many a Hollywood movie. Curtains made from silk look stunning as they drape with fluid folds that reflect the light. If all this sounds too good to be true there are, unfortunately, a few disadvantages with silk apart from the price tag! Silk suffers badly if it is used in direct sunlight and is not the easiest of materials to work as it has a tendency to pucker and wrinkle. Having said that there is nothing that can compete with the luxurious and expensive look and feel of real silk when used in the right situation.
One of the simplest ways to add some silk fabric to your indoor décor is by using real silk light shades. Silk is an ideal material for making lampshades and the perfect way to add a little affordable luxury. They are available in a whole host of shapes, sizes and colours and range from the smallest candle shades right up the largest shades for table lamps and floor lamps.
A small selection of some of the bespoke silk shades from our Artisan Lighting Collection. These are available in a range of colours and are made to order in the style of your choice. All our silk shades shown here are manufactured in the UK using 100% pure silk. Silk shades work particularly well in simple plain colours and the choice of colours we offer include neutral colours as well as the bold and dramatic. We can supply swatches so you can check the colour accurately.
A selection of some of our popular table and floor lamps all shown with silk shades.
Our wonderful Bird table lamp is shown again here with a green shamrock silk shade.
Bring an exotic touch of the Orient to your bedroom with our Mimosa table lamp shown here teamed with an Empire shaped shade in hot pink silk.
Silk has a timeless feel and can sit happily in both traditional and more modern interiors. Our silk collection is not just confined to shades for table lamps and standard lamps either, as it also includes a range of wall lights and ceiling pendant lights with silk shades.
The Renoir range includes a number of different size ceiling lights, wall lights, table and floor lamps that will allow you to create a truly unique look. These are great lights if you are looking to continue the same theme into other rooms and they make super lighting for guest houses, hotels and restaurants as well as lighting around the home. Wonderful for contemporary settings. The ceiling pendant shown here is the smallest in the range and has the dusky peppercorn pink silk shade. It is fitted with a glass diffuser to eliminate any glare and hide the bulb from view.
The Renoir wall washer wall light pictured here has the vibrant firefly orange silk shade with an opal glass diffuser.
Here we have teamed the same firefly orange silk with the more traditional Sloane ceiling pendant in the bronze finish. The shade is lined in a gold laminate which creates a real warm feel in the room.
The same Sloane pendant but this time in the pewter finish with a pale candy pink drum lined in a matching silver laminate.
Just perfect for rustic and country interiors. The Antler 5 light ceiling pendant with its bleached Highland look is teamed with tube shaped blackcurrant coloured silk shades. The Antler table lamp is shown in the corner of the room sporting a black silk drum shade.
And finally, a large 8 light chandelier with a matching twin wall light from our Artisan Lighting Collection painted in Marston and Langinger mole brown paint. A modern twist on traditional forged iron light fittings. Dressed here with the delph blue silk clip on candle shades – one of the latest colours to be added to our range.