We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Zwischen Imitation und Innovation: Die schweizerische Indienne-Industrie im 18. Jahrhundert.
- Authors
SIEBENHÜNER, KIM
- Abstract
From the late 17th century, European craftsmen were learning the art of calico printing, also known as indienne. This learning process was based, on the one hand, on available knowledge about European methods of printing and colouring. On the other hand, the challenge was to adapt techniques from India, where craftsmen had produced skilfully printed cotton textiles for centuries. Based on the recent debates on the history of cotton and the transformative effect of Asian textiles for European consumer societies, the article takes the Old Swiss Confederacy (one of the most important locations for the production of printed textiles in Europe) as a case to study the circulation of knowledge about new printing and colouring methods, the problem of industrial espionage avant la lettre, and the relationship between imitation and innovation for the indienne industry of the 18th century. The Swiss indienne industry is conceived of as part of a mimetic economy, within which not only Indian textiles were imitated, but also designs and techniques adapted to local circumstances. The drive, however, to reach the quality of Indian textiles was the most important impulse for innovation.
- Subjects
SWITZERLAND; CALICO; CALICO-printing; TEXTILE printing; COTTON textiles; TEXTILE industry; INNOVATION adoption; IMITATIVE behavior; HISTORY
- Publication
Werkstatt Geschichte (Klartext Verlag), 2017, Issue 74, p7
- ISSN
0942-704X
- Publication type
Article