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The History of Felt

The History of Felt. The Birth of an Art Form. Felt. The word “felt” is a Latin derivative and it originally meant “to beat”. Felt is a thick non-woven fabric It is made from sheep’s wool or animal fur which is subjected to: Heat Moisture Pressure or Agitation.

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The History of Felt

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  1. The History of Felt The Birth of an Art Form

  2. Felt • The word “felt” is a Latin derivative and it originally meant “to beat”.

  3. Felt is a thick non-woven fabric It is made from sheep’s wool or animal fur which is subjected to: Heat Moisture Pressure or Agitation Felting:perhaps one of the oldest textiles forms, predating weaving

  4. Felt is: • Dense but flexible • Warm in cold weather • Cool in hot weather • Water resistant • Easily cut into a specific shape or in any direction without unraveling

  5. Origins of Felt Making • Felt is thought to have originated in Asia. • Earliest prehistoric findings date from the Neolithic period 6500-6300 BCE • Cherchen infant mummy dates to 3000 BCE. • Wrapped in purplish red wool, the infant wears a bonnet of bright-blue felt with red wool trimming. • Frozen tombs and rich burial mounds such as those at Pazyryk, in the Alti mountains of the USSR provide the richest felted treasures known to exist.

  6. Origins of Felt MakingGreeks and Romans also knew of felt • Greek and Roman Soldiers were equipped with felted: • Breast plates for protection from arrows • Tunics • Boots • Socks

  7. Myths, Legends and Ancient Origins of Felt Making • Chinese • Arab • European • Biblical

  8. According to legend, the Chinese accidentally invented felt by putting wool under a saddle for padding. The horse’s body heat, sweat and friction under the saddle caused the wool to become felt. Europeans believe that a saintly pilgrim put wool inside his sandals and inadvertently made felt in-soles through the same action of heat, sweat and friction while walking. For the Arabs it was a camel driver who did the same. Legend

  9. Even Noah is credited with the invention of felt. After constructing the ark he placed wool fibers on the floor for warmth and comfort. Animals, trampling the wool, created friction, their movement created heat and 40 days and 40 nights of rain supplied the necessary water. Soon he had created felt! Noah’s Ark

  10. Uses for Felt • Insulation, linings, padding, filters • Clothing • Footwear; boots, socks • Head gear; hats • Whole garments; coats, cloaks, vests • Household items • Coverings for portable homes (Gers, Yurts) • Rugs • Blankets

  11. Home CoveringsYurts, Gers • Portable Housing for nomadic people of Turkey, Afghanistan and Turkistan • More than 50 percent of present day Mongolians, including the nomadic herders, live in these simple dwellings. • The nomads pack their gers and move 4-12 times a year as they follow their herds of horses, yaks, cattle, sheep, goats and camels to new pastures. • These gers are hand made with local materials of sheep wool, horse and yak hair and local wood

  12. Felt Rugs • Felt rugs are a great specialty of Mongolia, northwest China, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Kashmir; Traditionally, they are considered to be the "carpets of the poor," and as such they are reserved for places of work, such as the kitchen, and are used for more practical purposes rather than decorative purposes.

  13. Rugs Lakai Uzbek Felt Rug • Pieced and embroidered felt rug made by nomadic Lakai Uzbek women in Southern Uzbek in the 1920’s • Powerhouse Museum collection

  14. Embroidered felted hat worn by Kyrgyz men Powerhouse museum Felted boots, shoes and slippers Clothing

  15. Hungarian Szur Traditional wear for special occasions Presented to a young man upon adulthood The Shepard’s Cape doubles as a portable tent His hat can be worn with the brim down for warmth or out for a visor

  16. Everything Old is New Again! • Since the mid 70’s felt making has enjoyed a renewed sense of identity • It has regained popularity because of its traditional usefulness for clothing and household items And it has come into its own as a pure art form • Traditional boundaries have been stretched • Its usefulness pushed into the realm of aesthetics

  17. Infinite Fringe Scarves by Lori Flood

  18. Hats; Traditional and Newby Lori Flood

  19. Vessels; containers for the spirit

  20. Felted Vessels by Sharon Costello Earth Images Mother Earth

  21. Earth Images back view

  22. Furnishings by Nicole Chased Telaar

  23. Area Rugs by Nicole Chazaud Telaar

  24. Wall Art by Nicole Chased Telaar

  25. Painting with Felt by Pat Sparks White Flower and the Old Red House Oriental Poppies

  26. Dolls; to amuse and comfort By Gina Barr Eiger by Birgitte Krag Hansen

  27. Dolls by Sharon Costello

  28. Masks by Faye Wilkinson • Masks are powerful instruments of communication. They have been used since the dawn of Creation to tell a story, heal and transform. They can conceal and protect as well as reveal and enlighten. Poseidoness

  29. As you can see felt is not only functional but is exciting and contains a beauty all its own, regardless of its purpose.

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