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Course for the identification of fibre and thread

This course is headed by Christophe Moulhérat, partner researcher in the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research – Research Laboratory of the French Museum), specialising in archeological textiles.


The session will take place from October 19th to October 23rd 2009.

The number of participants is limited to ten.
Course lasting 35 hours. Cost : € 350

 

Macro picture of a thread which is constituted of a golden organic membrane issued from the shroud of St Lazare.

 

According to the period, lace was made with thread of diverse origin. The prime material being the most used was linen, especially in ancient times, but  also silk, cotton and in a smaller way, wool. All these fibres, vegetal and animal, have their own characteristics which help to identify them.
Many bobbin-lace items use metallic thread which comes in different forms: gold thread, gold lame, bullion thread.

 

Picture taken with an electronic microscope of an antique linen thread,
of greek origin.

 

During this course, the beginning will be reserved for the study of the threads, the way they are made and the way they are used. To do this a microscope will be   lent to the students. Later, the identification of the fibres which have been extracted from the items of lace will proceed. All operations needed to identify lace, after having been explained to the students will be actually done by all students. They will be done with an optical microscope.

This course will be an opportunity to observe and to study “in situ” all the materials which are part of the composition of a piece of lace.

ENROLLMENT FORM