Where does Ottoman come from?

Ottoman comes from France, first documented in the 1800s.

Plate No. 087fabric

Bold rounded crosswise cords in deep relief.

First documented: 1800s
Origin: France and the Ottoman world, France
Fiber: silk, wool
Weave: plain weave, bold crosswise cord
Family: stripes

Plate No. 087 · fabric

Ottoman

Ottoman is faille's bold sibling: a heavy, lustrous cloth with pronounced rounded crosswise cords, made by floating fine warp over thick cord wefts so the ridges stand up in deep relief. The scale of the rib is the whole identity, from fine ottoman to the wide cords of cardinals' robes and academic and ceremonial dress. Its weight and sheen made it a cloth of state and of structured evening coats, where it holds a sculptural shape no flat silk could.

Illustration: a cathedral vestry, heavy corded ceremonial robes on a rail in deep relief, carved choir stalls beyond, shafts of colored window light — A cathedral vestry, heavy corded ceremonial robes on a rail in deep relief, carved choir stalls beyond, shafts of colored window light.

Named for

Named for the Ottoman Empire, evoking the heavy corded silks associated with its court textiles.

Common questions

What is Ottoman made of?: Ottoman is faille's bold sibling: a heavy, lustrous cloth with pronounced rounded crosswise cords, made by floating fine warp over thick cord wefts so the ridges stand up in deep relief. It is traditionally made of silk or wool.
Where does Ottoman come from?: Ottoman comes from France, first documented in the 1800s.
What is Ottoman named after?: Named for the Ottoman Empire, evoking the heavy corded silks associated with its court textiles.