1775 to 1825

This period has a wide range of finished looks, varying from simple block prints to sophisticated dress designs. Indian cotton textiles began to trickle into London and Europe as a side bar to the spice trade. The East India Company (EIC) got it's Charter from the first Queen Elizabeth in 1600 to trade for spices in the East Indies. The Spice merchants there were not particularly impressed with what they brought to trade...lead, tin, bullion and good British wool. What the people of the East Indies really wanted were the cottons (block printed, painted, yard dyed and solid colors) from India, So the next sailing season the British stopped first in India to trade for cottons and then onto the East Indies. The British were still offering lead, tin, bullion and good British wool to the textile merchants in India. I have seen mention of that wool being used for tents and elephant saddles.

Margo's Finds, 1775-1825 Fabrics