Few, if any, textiles can rival chintz for the revelations it throws upon the tapestry of global trade, cultural intersection and international competition in technical skill.
The story of chintz is one of artistry and innovation, colonialism and craft, indigenous knowledge and industrialised production. It is also the story of the power of design – which not only captivates worldwide admiration but also has the power to ignite rivalries for commercial dominance.
Indigenous skill
Today, the term chintz is synonymous with the beautiful floral fabrics that are core to the traditional English country house style. Yet it is, in fact, a derivation from the Hindi ‘Chint’ or ‘Chitta’ – which translates as spotted, speckled, variegated or
