Craftex Mills presents Antique Roadshow

Craftex Mills - Designing and Weaving Fine Upholstery Fabrics for Home Décor

Antiques Roadshow is a trademark of the BBC, produced for PBS by WGBH/Boston.

Inspired By Rugs
Antiques Roadshow discovered this treasure, a Bakhtiara carpet, while visiting St. Paul , Minnesota in 2004. This gorgeous rug is from Persia circa 1910 and was purchased at a yard sale for $30.00. The name, Bakhtiara, comes from the nomadic people that wove the carpet. Initially, rugs were smaller and utilitarian, once settled the weavers continued to use natural dyes and fashioned larger rugs for export. However, as in this carpet, the charming asymmetry is retained due to the 3 or 4 women working on the same carpet. A spectacular group of designs were inspired by the magnificent detail found in this carpet for the Antiques Roadshow Fabric Collection.

Inspired By Tiles
As featured in the Antiques Roadshow Insider in October, 2005, this beautiful ceiling tile is made from tin. Ceiling tiles became a part of American architecture in the latter half of the 19th century. They were invented to cover plaster ceilings and served as a “band aid.” Later they became a standard in new construction. This particular decorative tile has an Art Nouveau motif, circa 1900. One tile retails for $40.00. The details in this ceiling tile inspired the tile designs in the Antiques Roadshow Fabric Collection

Inspired By Tapestries
Discovered by the Antiques Roadshow during a taping in Kansas City in 2002, this French tapestry was appraised at between $4,000 and $5,000; double if repaired. Woven in Aubusson , France circa 1700, this tapestry is classified as a “Verdour” because of the landscape in the design. Similar tapestries found today were typically only a section of a larger tapestry, which usually hung in French Chateaus. Popular in the USA among the well-to-do in the late 19th century, it was willed to the owner’s family in the 1930’s as a token of gratitude from an employer. The beautiful landscape inspired various designs in the Antiques Roadshow Fabric Collection.

Inspired By Navajo Rugs
When Antiques Roadshow visited Hot Springs , Arkansas in 2002, this lovely Navajo rug was unveiled. Woven circa 1890, this “ Germantown rug” was originally purchased for $20.00 at an estate sale. It is considered unusual because of the flags in the pattern. Additionally, it was woven by Navajo women who used special yarns from Germantown , PA. These yarns were reserved for only the best weavers. The estimated restored value is between $8,000 and $10,000. Inspired by the rich geometric designs, Craftex designers created a group of Navajo fabrics for the Antiques Roadshow Fabric Collection.

Inspired By Botanicals
Published in Nuremberg , Germany in 1757, this botanical book was presented to Antiques Roadshow during the 2003 tapping tour in San Francisco . It is actually one of two books and was passed down from one generation to the next. Appraised at between $10,000 and $15,000, it has some of the better botanical illustrations of the 18th century. Elizabeth Blackwell illustrated the book by hand using water colors. The book is considered unique for this time period because it was illustrated by a woman. Herbal books like this were elaborate to produce and very expensive. They were usually meant for a library or physicians. All of the botanical found in the book were used for medicinal purposes. One of the illustrations was enough inspiration for a group of botanicals in the Antiques Roadshow Fabric Collection.

Inspired By Americana
A true hidden treasure, this decorative quilt was discovered when it fell out of a chest destined for the trash from a relative’s estate sale. Presented in Chicago 2003 to Antiques Roadshow this “Whig Rose” quilt was crafted circa 1852 in Virginia . Considered a “tour de force” by the appraiser it has an estimated value of between $4,000 and $6,000. The intricate handwork inspired the Americana designs in the Antiques Roadshow Fabric Collection.