Brocatelles

Brocatelle belongs to the lampases family. It has large decorative motifs in relief, and its pattern is obtained by the juxtaposition between the first warp and first weft, both in silk, with a second series of warp and weft. The last series is very rigid, usually made of hemp or linen, and gives the fabric its special relief effect. 

Being lighter than brocade, it lends itself to being used in particular in luxury furnishings, for upholstery and liturgical vestments.

Bevilacqua Brocatelle Patterns

Some of the decorative motifs in our catalogue recall the time when brocatelles reached their maximum splendour: Giardino is a triumph of flowers and leaves in pure Baroque style; Sagredo is named after a Venetian patrician family; Grottesche mixes 16th-century figures with Baroque and Rococo architectural and naturalistic elements. Other designs evoke the splendour of the Renaissance, such as Griglia and Rinascimento, all characterised by a grid structure typical of the patterns of the time. The latter, in particular, features all the most common flowers of Renaissance fabrics, such as lotus and thistle flowers, carnations and pomegranates.

The Origins of Brocatelles

Brocatelle began to spread in the 16th century in Italy, where it was used mainly for upholstery and wall coverings in the palaces of illustrious members of the clergy and aristocracy.

Its particular texture with a strong linen weft made it possible to create, on a firm and even background, the elaborate textile decorations typical of the time, which made it the preferred fabric for luxury furnishings and religious vestments. The fortune of this fabric reached the baroque period.

Even today it’s still loved by interior designers, to make rooms luxurious with exclusive upholstery for sofas and armchairs, curtains, cushions, etc.