California Golds

Late in the 1700s there was a strong interest in developing new textile dyes. The Royal Society in London and the Academie in Paris offered prizes for new coloring agents. Inorganic (not vegetable or animal) mineral colors, antimony yellow and orange, iron buff and manganese bronze were important additions to the textile colorist palette.  

It was the discovery of crocoite, a red or orange mineral, in 1797 that lead to the development of lead chromate. This coloring agent was insoluble in water but did work in paint and was all the rage for elegant turn of the 19th century horse drawn carriages. In 1819 a textile dye using lead chromate was developed. The resulting strong yellow prints often featured design details in red and black. These distinctive fabrics were seen later in Baltimore Album and Civil War era quilts and then again with the Colonial Revival interior decorating style of the turn of the 20th century. 

A final alkaline rinse could convert that bright yellow cotton print to a strong orange. These chrome yellow to chrome orange designs ranged in hue from school bus yellow to cheddar cheese.

A mid 19th century chrome orange pattern which was printed in fine lines or dots appeared as almost a butterscotch color and is often referred to as a California gold. It is easy for me to remember the dating on this particular coloration. The name, California gold, was picked up from the then popular culture hot topic …the California Gold Rush of ’49.

Bunny Bunch

BUNNY BUNCH: Kits...some available for pre sale. One version ready to ship NOW. Rabbit fur is Essex. Ears and clothing (4) solids PLUS the 6.5 oz denim for overalls!

Yarn Dyed Stripes

All of these yard dyed fabric play nicely with Dutch Heritage and other early chintzes. Bits and pieces of Indian domestic production ( Chambray, Shot cottons, yard dyed plaids and stripe) would have been available in 17th/18th century England and Europe along with hand painted Chintz and wood block prints. Hand wash, line dry