COLLECTING CULTURES: The Design Center Features Rare Collection of International Textiles and Costumes
An unusual collection of textiles, costumes and accessories from Asia, Europe and South America is on exhibit at The Design Center at Philadelphia University starting Thursday, October 4 through November 19, 2007.
Collecting Cultures includes Japanese childrens’ kimonos, Latin American weavings, a Mexican charro jacket, woven bamboo Chinese hats and Filipino clothing made from pineapple fibers. These items date from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.
Collecting Cultures, highlights some of the extraordinary artifacts recently acquired from the Philadelphia Commercial Museum, which was established in 1897 to investigate international cultures as a way to enhance trade opportunities for the city.
For almost 100 years, the museum collected natural and manmade products from around the world, eventually housing one of the largest material culture collections in the United States. After the museum closed in 1994, The Design Center, along with other museums and educational institutions in the city, was invited to select artifacts for its own collection of historical textiles.
The Design Center is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located on Henry Avenue and Philadelphia University Drive in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. For weekend hours and more information, call 215-951-2860.
|