Chintz is a type of cotton textile that originated in Golconda, India in the 16th century. It is a plain cotton fabric that ranges in weight from mild to heavy and is most often used for the production of drapes and decorative cushions. The cloth is printed with designs featuring flowers and other patterns in different colors, typically on a light, plain white cotton background. Chintz is a type of printed calico, but not all chintz is made from calico. The fabric is known for its vibrancy, intricacy, and resilience. Traditional Indian chintz was used to make palampores, light, airy cotton bed coverings, tent panels, and other items featuring botanical or pastoral imagery.
Chintz was first brought to Europe in the 17th century by Dutch and Portuguese merchants, and its popularity swiftly spread throughout the continent. The fabric became known in Europe after Vasco da Gama successfully reached Calicut in India in 1498. The Dutch East India Company was the main importer of chintz fabrics to Europe during the 17th and 18th century. Chintz was outlawed in France in 1686 to protect the local silk and wool industries, but there were loopholes in the legislation, and fashionable young courtiers continued wearing chintz.
In the 20th century, chintz’s popularity ebbed and flowed, peaking in the 1940s and then bumping along before exploding on the scene in the flounce-filled 1980s. Today, chintz is back in a major way, with designers like Miles Redd and Kathryn M. Ireland declaring its return for 2018. Chintz is often associated with maximalism in decor.
In summary, chintz is a type of cotton textile that originated in India in the 16th century. It is a plain cotton fabric that is printed with designs featuring flowers and other patterns in different colors, typically on a light, plain white cotton background. Chintz was first brought to Europe in the 17th century by Dutch and Portuguese merchants, and its popularity swiftly spread throughout the continent. Today, chintz is back in a major way, with designers declaring its return for 2018.
