Silk Painters International - SPIN

 

Silk is the strongest natural fiber. For its weight, it is stronger than steel. Historically, Silk has been used as Sails on boats, as parachutes, as the first hot air balloons, and as armor. Its beauty and rich feel has made it a valuable source of trade for many centuries.

Silk is animal protein similar to our own hair. This is why it has a sensuous, warm, lustrous touch. Silk is created by silkworms - the bombyx moth. This is one of the earliest domesticated animals. The bombyx moth needs human intervention to survive because it cannot fly.

Records indicate that silk has been in production before 6803 BC. The oldest known piece of surviving silk is from 3630 BC and there are examples of still brightly colored silk found in China from the third and fourth century BC.

 

More information: Silkworm Vol. 15 no.4, Silk by Mary Schoeser