Gobelins Manufactory was a tapestry manufactory at Paris, established by Colbert in 1667, on the site of a previously existing manufactory which had been set up by Gilles Gobelin, a celebrated dyer in the reign of Francis I. Colbert collected into it the ablest workmen in the divers arts and manufactures connected with house decoration and upholstery. The Gobelins since then continued to be the first manufactory of the kind in the world. Many celebrated paintings of the old Italian, French, and Spanish schools were, in the most ingenious manner, transferred to tapestry. Research Gobelins
Scrim is a thin strong, open-weave fabric or type of muslin, used by decorators in the preparation of bad surfaces prior to paperhanging particularly on wooden surfaces. Scrim is also used in upholstery. Research Scrim
Upholstery is the art of making cushions, covering the rigid frames of chairs, sofas, beds and other furniture with flexible material either naturally springy or made so by the introduction of steel springs. Research Upholstery
Rubber is a gummy substance exuded by a wide variety of trees and plants, especially the trees Hevea brasiliensis, and several other species of Hevea which grow in the East Indies, particularly the Malaypeninsula, and other parts of the world. Rubber is also obtained from the large tree Castilla elastica, found in Mexico. So-called dandelion rubber is derived from the roots of various species of dandelion plant Taraxacuin, chiefly Kok sagyz, etc., grown in Turkestan.
Rubber trees are tapped and the latex, a milk-like juice, containing about 30-40% rubber, is coagulated by exposing it to heat and wood smoke, or by mechanical means, so as to separate the
rubber from the water, mineral salts, sugars, resins, and protein matters. The rubber obtained in this way is known as 'crude'. Latex is also extensively used in industry for making foam rubber products, footwear, dolls, etc.
Untreated crude rubber is naturally soft and lacks the requisite strength for making into manufactured articles. To improve its strength and usefulness it is vulcanised or heated with sulphur, the proportion of sulphur used determining the hardness and elasticity of the rubber. Fillers such as carbon black or channel black are also vital constituents of rubber, particularly tyre rubber. About 75% of the rubber produced goes into the manufacture of tyres, the remainder being utilised for cable sheathing, wire covering, footwear, flooring, proofing of clothing, togs, upholstery material, hose, etc. Latest developments include bullet-proof tyres, non-tear rubber for fuel tanks, flame-proof hose, suits for frogmen. Research Rubber
Brown Holland was an unbleached linen used in Britain during the Victorian period and afterwards for various articles of clothing and upholstery. Research Brown Holland
Corduroy is a thick cotton material corded, or ribbed on one surface used for making clothes. Originally corduroy was made of silk, and worn by the kings of France in the chase. A finer variety was made in the 19th century for upholstery. The cloth is strong and enduring. Research Corduroy
Velour is a pile fabric woven from woollen or cotton yarns or from a mixture of these yarns. It is similar to felt but with a pile like velvet or plush, that is finished to present a raised, smooth, furry pile. The term is also applied to a material made from rabbit furs, largely employed in the manufacture of hats and upholstery. Research Velour
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Brown Holland
