Heather's Pages Home * Inkle Weaving * 18th Century Tape Loom
Early Narrow-ware Looms in Period Artwork
As I started the survey of the various titles I have on hand, I realized that I should probably broaden my focus to various narrow-ware looms that I find. So far, it seems to be in four categories: a classic box loom shape, a high-castle tape-type loom, a simple rigid heddle arrangement on a floor stand, and upright narrow tapestry-type arrangements that seem to be for more elaborate tapes. I decided that a collection of all of them might be of more use to everyone, so I'm including them all.
The Noble Pastoral: The Preparation of the Wool. Loire, Early 16th Century, Musée de Louvre. This loom, on the left, shows the classic two-reel box shape that I think of when I imagine a box loom. This is probably more transportable for me. Uses a floating rigid heddle. (Verlet)
Ein New Modelbuch: Zwickau, 1524. There's actually a weaving "array" shown here. I'm not looking for a frame loom that I sit inside of (yet!) but the table loom attached on the right is also interesting, sort of a mini high-castle table version. Probably too bulky for me. He appears to be using a floating rigid heddle as well. An early tape loom form? (Neher)
Eyn New Kunstlich Modelbuech: Peter Quentell, Cologne, 1529. Another "high castle" version, on the left, but smaller than the previous one. Perhaps more convenient for me to transport, also with the floating rigid heddle. (Neher)
Eyn
Newe Kunstlich Moetdelboech: P. Quentell, Cologne, 1532. Another
two-reel version on the lower right. Floating rigid heddle, possibly in
combination with cards, or perhaps bobbins for tapestry weaving. I'm more
attracted to this shape I think. (Neher)
Esemplario de Lavori: G. A. Vavassore, Venice, 1532. You can just make out a crudely depicted high-castle style in the upper right corner. The floating rigid heddle is visible. (Neher)
Joseph
and Mary? Sorry, Daily Life is terrible with its citations,
this is on page 32. It says this is from the Pierpont Morgan Library in
New York, and a quick search of their images online didn't get me any closer to
a title, artist or date. This is an interesting mini version of the frame
arrangement. Something on this scale may be possible to make transportable
if it can come apart. (Winston)
Erziehung der Jungfrau Maria (Rechter Flügel eines Marienaltares): Artist Unknown, 1510-1515. Here's the narrow upright tapestry style arrangement. I like the little claw-shaped pick stuck in the warp over her hands, as well. I can see wanting one of these in the future. (Böhlaus)
Miniature from the Manesse or Heidelberg Manuscript: early 14th century. Here's a rigid heddle on a stand, also used in combination with cards. Interestingly, I suspect the weaving process is depicted incorrectly, at least, the lady is sitting on the wrong side for weaving! (Neher)
Resources
The Book of Tapestry: History and Technique. Pierre Verlet, et al, dist. by The Viking Press, New York, 1978.
Inkle. Evelyn Neher, Connecticut, 1974.
Daily Life in the Middle Ages. Clara and Richard Winston, American Heritage Publishing, New York, 1975.
Die Deutschen Gemälde, des 16. und 17. Jahrhunderts. Hermann Böhlaus, Die Deutsche Bibliothek, 1996.