Sericulture Collection

Title Plate from "The Introduction of the Silkworm"[Vermis Sericus], ca. 1595 Creator: Karel van Mallery
Title Plate from " The Introduction of the Silkworm" [Vermis Sericus], ca. 1595

The Incubation of the Silkworm Eggs, Plate 3 from "The Introduction of the Silkworm"[... ca. 1595
The Incubation of the Silkworm Eggs, Plate 3 from " The Introduction of the Silkworm" [Vermis Sericus], ca. 1595

The Gathering of Mulberry Leaves and the Feeding of the Silkworms, Plate 5 from "The I... ca. 1595
The Gathering of Mulberry Leaves and the Feeding of the Silkworms, Plate 5 from " The Introduction of the Silkworm" [Vermis Sericus], ca. 1595

The Reeling of Silk, Plate 6 from "The Introduction of the Silkworm"[Vermis Sericus], ... ca. 1595
The Reeling of Silk, Plate 6 from " The Introduction of the Silkworm" [Vermis Sericus], ca. 1595

Feeding the young silkworms with mulberry leaves, c. 1900 (albumen photo)
617854 Feeding the young silkworms with mulberry leaves, c.1900 (albumen photo) by Japanese Photographer (20th century); Private Collection; Prismatic Pictures ; Japanese, out of copyright

Silkworms (chromolitho)
2782771 Silkworms (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Silkworms. Liebig card, published in late 19th or early 20th century)

Silk production at Lullingstone Castle
Page from The Tatler reporting on the silk production there overseen by Lady Hart Dyke. Three million silkworms were cared for by a permanent staff of fifteen with twenty five of the castles fifty

The handling of the eggs of silkworms (engraving)
3646743 The handling of the eggs of silkworms (engraving) by Straet, Jan van der (Joannes Stradanus) (1523-1605); Private Collection; (add.info.: The handling of the eggs of silkworms)

Rearing silkworms (chromolitho)
2817113 Rearing silkworms (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rearing silkworms. Educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

No. 11 from the series Women Engaged in the Sericulture Industry (woodcut)
2563179 No. 11 from the series Women Engaged in the Sericulture Industry (woodcut) by Utamaro, Kitagawa (1753-1806); 38x25.1 cm; Free Library of Philadelphia; (add.info)

Ancient Chinese magnanery, 2700 BC (chromolitho)
2782874 Ancient Chinese magnanery, 2700 BC (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ancient Chinese magnanery, 2700 BC)

Winding silk filaments onto reels (chromolitho)
973925 Winding silk filaments onto reels (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Winding silk filaments onto reels)

Silk production in the South of France (chromolitho)
2782870 Silk production in the South of France (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Silk production in the South of France)

Silk: silkworm (chromolitho)
968639 Silk: silkworm (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Silk: silkworm. Liebig card, from a series on materials fo making clothes)

Feeding silkworms, 18th century(?). The Manner of Placing the Leaves on Scaffolds and Shelves to Feed Silkworms

The breeding of silk worms, 1775. A print from La nouvelle maison rustique, ou economie generale de tous les biens de campagne

Gathering mulberry leaves to feed silkworms, 19th century. Chinese painting on rice paper

Women examining silk moth eggs and putting them in boxes for hatching into caterpillars, 1748
Women examining silk moth eggs and putting them in boxes for hatching into caterpillars (silkworms), 1748. From The Universal Magazine. (London, 1748)

The Manner of Feeding Silkworms, 1753. Artist: Benjamin Cole
The Manner of Feeding Silkworms, 1753. A silkworm farm, showing the interior of the rearing house or Magnangerie and the collection of mulberry leaves on which the caterpillars (worms) were fed

Women feeding silkworms on mulberry leaves, 19th century. Chinese tempera painting on rice paper

Man drying silkworm cocoons, 19th century. The man dries the cocoons over a charcoal pan surrounded by a bamboo screen, using a blanket and fan to regulate the draught

The Silk-Worm, c1850. Artist: Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins
The Silk-Worm, c1850. Silk, from the silk moth (Bombyx) to the finished product. The central panel shows the lifecycle of the moth from egg to adult

Planting mulberry trees for silkworms. 1936

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unraveling the Threads of Sericulture: A Journey Through History and Craftsmanship" Step into the world of sericulture, a centuries-old art form that has captivated cultures across time. From Karel van Mallery's intricate plates to vintage photographs capturing moments in silk production, this collection offers a glimpse into the fascinating process behind creating one of nature's most luxurious fabrics. In "The Introduction of the Silkworm, " ca. 1595, we witness the beginning stages as silkworm eggs are carefully incubated. The delicate hands depicted in Plate 3 delicately handle these precious eggs, nurturing them until they hatch into hungry larvae ready to feast on mulberry leaves. Plate 5 transports us to another crucial phase – "The Gathering of Mulberry Leaves and the Feeding of the Silkworms. " Here, workers diligently collect leaves while silkworms eagerly devour their nourishment. This symbiotic relationship between humans and insects showcases both our reliance on nature and our ability to harness its resources for beauty and commerce. Moving forward in time, c. 1900 brings us an albumen photo depicting "Feeding young silkworms with mulberry leaves. " The image captures a moment frozen in time – generations passing down knowledge from one hand to another as they nurture these tiny creatures towards maturity. Chromolithographs transport us further into history; "Silkworms" showcases vibrant colors that mirror their transformative journey from larva to cocoon. Meanwhile, at Lullingstone Castle, silk production thrives amidst regal surroundings – a testament to sericulture's enduring legacy. Engravings offer glimpses into specific aspects of this craft - "The handling of silkworm eggs" reveals meticulous attention paid during each stage while "Rearing silkworms" portrays bustling scenes where countless cocoons await their transformation into exquisite threads. No exploration would be complete without acknowledging women's crucial role in the sericulture industry.