Where does Harlequin come from?

Harlequin comes from Italy, first documented in the 1500s.

Plate No. 036pattern

First documented: 1500s
Origin: Northern Italy, Italy
Fiber: cotton, silk
Weave: printed or pieced
Family: dots

Plate No. 036 · pattern

Harlequin

Harlequin is a pattern of repeating diamonds, point to point, in two or more alternating colors. It descends from the costume of Arlecchino in the commedia dell'arte: what began as a poor servant's patched clothes was stylized by the seventeenth century into the regular diamond suit that still says carnival, circus, and masquerade. As a textile and decorating pattern it is the diamond counterpart of the checkerboard, set on point so the eye reads movement instead of grid.

Named for

Named for Arlecchino, the patched servant of Italian commedia dell'arte, whose ragged costume formalized into a suit of bright diamonds.

Common questions

What is Harlequin made of?: Harlequin is a pattern of repeating diamonds, point to point, in two or more alternating colors. It is traditionally made of cotton or silk.
Where does Harlequin come from?: Harlequin comes from Italy, first documented in the 1500s.
What is Harlequin named after?: Named for Arlecchino, the patched servant of Italian commedia dell'arte, whose ragged costume formalized into a suit of bright diamonds.