British Imperialism and its Legacies: Exported Manufactured Textiles and Dress

Comments

Glasgow Museums has a collection of items in European Dress and Textiles, Glasgow History and World Cultures that were manufactured in Glasgow and the west of Scotland and exported abroad.

By the early 1800s approximately one third of Glasgow's population, many of them Irish migrants, worked in the textile industry. As well as catering to domestic markets within the United Kingdom, a large number of companies produced dress and textiles destined for export to the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia, including to British colonies and their allies.

From the late 1700s trade cloth was used by the US government as payment for land transactions and settlements of peace treaties. British wool broadcloth was a product that was used widely as a trading item with Native North Americans, and significantly raised the profits of the wool trade. Turkey Red cotton yarns and printed cloths became a major industry, first in Glasgow in the early 1800s and later in the Vale of Leven, Dunbartonshire, with large export markets built up in north America, Africa and Asia.

Some manufacturers, such as sari-makers Lean and Sons, specialised in making garments that aimed to undercut native industries. Other Glaswegian companies made dishdashas for the Middle East, dhotis for India and rebozos for Mexico. Many large manufacturers produced garments and accessories that were sold to British expatriates and settlers. Moore, Taggart & Co., Trongate, Glasgow, started as general drapers, but by the late 1800s produced military and transport uniforms for both British and colonial companies. RW Forsyth, whose trademark included a figure of a Sikh, became colonial outfitters. Glasgow-based umbrella makers Joseph Wright and Wilson, Matheson & Co. sold their goods throughout the Empire as well as to Brazil, China and the Philippines. James Templeton & Co. made carpets and rugs for palaces and official buildings across the world, from their factory on Glasgow Green.

Broader term

British Imperialism and its Legacies: Textiles & Fashion Industry

Narrower term

British Imperialism and its Legacies: Exported Turkey Red Textiles