An Ancient Dye of Historic Beauty
Madder silk is a mesmerizing and lustrous textile that has been held in high regard throughout the annals of time for its intensely rich hues. The name "madder" is derived from the Rubia tinctorum plant, also known as common madder or dyer's madder, which is the source of its natural and vibrant dyes.
Traditionally, natural madder root was renowned for yielding primarily red pigments; however, the evolution of modern dyeing techniques has expanded this spectrum to embrace a panopony of deep, saturated tones. Envision shades such as mustard yellow, forest green, burnt orange, profound blues and violets—and naturally, the classic reds and burgundies.
The very finest madder products, such as those we offer, are renowned for their unique texture and sheen, having been printed on twill silk fabric treated with gum arabic, conferring on them a distinct, matte finish known among connoisseurs as a "chalk hand."
Today, the artisans dedicated to crafting madder fabric might be fewer than in days past, yet select purveyors continue to uphold this sartorial tradition. The creation of madder silk is an intricate and labor-intensive art, entailing numerous stages of screen printing and necessitating only the finest quality silk. With a commitment to excellence, Fort Belvedere sources its revered ancient madder exclusively from England.