Sjaal van crêpe de Chine met een wit fond, waarop aan weerskanten een veelkleurig patroon van bloemen c. 1910 - 1914

This floral crêpe de Chine scarf was designed by the Wiener Werkstätte sometime between 1903 and 1932. It looks like it was made using stencils or blocks to apply the patterns, which is a pretty cool way to think about how designs come into being, as a repeated and evolving process. The material is so thin, it’s almost like watercolor on fabric. The colours are vivid, like a Fauvist painting, but they are contained by these charming floral shapes. The surface has an appealing texture from the weave of the fabric that creates a play between the flat design and the physical depth. The way the blue border just hugs the edge of the scarf with its little wave is so playful, like a frame for the flowers. It reminds me a little bit of Sonia Delaunay’s textiles. What’s fascinating is how these artists translate painting ideas into functional objects, blurring the lines between art and life.