Artifact: Fustian Piece
Materials: Fustian
Dimensions: L. 96 x W. 31 inches 218.4 x 78.7 cm
Date: 1765-1775
Origin: British, Bromley Hall, Middlesex
Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art
License: OASC
Ledger Entry: Tufted Fustian
Department: Textile
Customer: Fielding Turner
Ledger Page: 147
Imported From: Most of the textiles sold in the Ramsay store were either produced and imported from England, or imported to the colonies through England.
Product Description
Fustians are thick coarse fabrics which were made of linen or cotton and possibly wool. Tufted fustians involved raised decorations on the surface of the fabric. Varieties of fustian include textured fabrics such as corduroy and jean. Fustians were used for clothing, upholstery, and draperies.
Citation: Florence M. Montgomery. Textiles in America, 1650-1870 : a Dictionary Based on Original Documents : Prints and Paintings, Commercial Records, American Merchants' Papers, Shopkeepers' Advertisements, and Pattern Books with Original Swatches of Cloth. (New York :Norton, 1984), 244-245.;
Historical Price: 16 pence per yard; Modern USD: $15
Product Variations
The databases record only two sales of fustian. One yard of tufted fustian sold for sixteen pence, while two and a half yards of pillow fustian sold for twelve shillings.
