Focus on Pattern

This is an example of Toile.

This article explains the history and meanings of patterns used throughout time.

Arabesque - A pattern comprised of intricately interlaced lines. The term is generically misused for any intricate interlaced pattern. Arabesque specifically refers to interlaced patterns in which some of the lines bifurcate (have a small leaf budding off of them) or end in a small leaf or bud.

Damask – Today, we use the word Damask incorrectly to refer to all patterns that contain the theme of a vase of flowers surrounded by an undulating border of flowers, columns or swagged fabric. Damask is actually a weaving term, which specifically refers to patterns rendered in a satin weave upon a plain-woven ground, thereby rendering the pattern in gloss. Damask fabric was originally imported into Europe via Venice from Damascus beginning in the fifteenth century.

Ogival Form - An Ogival form is the basis for the "Damask" pattern. An Ogival form consists of two ogees placed mirroring each other. An ogee is a shape made from an S-shaped profile - think of an arch having a curve near the apex on each side.

Waved Pattern - Any pattern whose imagery is based on an undulating structure is called, generically, a waved pattern.

Toiles (toiles de Jouy) - Patterns comprised of fine line illustrations. This term refers to copper plate printed textiles produced in the town of Jouy, France beginning in the mid-sixteenth century. Previously, all textile printing was executed by the wood-block method, which produced much thicker lines than copper plate printing.

Counterchange - What we call a "checkerboard" pattern should be more appropriately referred to as "Counterchange," which refers to an alteration of color, pattern or motif. A counterchange can be mathematically expressed as follows (A.B.A.B.A.B)

Waved	Counterchange

Arabesque	Damask

Blackwork - Blackwork refers to all patterns that are exclusively black motifs on a white ground. The term harks back to fifteenth century England where the influence of Queen Elizabeth I made the immensely popular black embroidery on a white linen ground.

Palmette - This form, in all of its permutations, is perhaps one of the most common motifs throughout the world. Here, we are illustrating three variations. Scholars believe that the formal ornamental device originated in ancient Greece and immigrated around the world through trade.

Blackwork	Palmette