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<h2>Coptic history, coptic pictures, coptic tapestries, coptic textiles</h2>
<p> <br>
<strong>Coptic history</strong> did not begin in the Western countries before the Islamic invasions.
In the eighth century Arabs conquered Spain and brilliant Saracen weavers established
a highly refined weaving industry which went on till the thirteenth century.<br>
Sicily also played a preponderant role in the development of silk weaving in
Europe. It began in the eleventh century with the Norman invasion, well before
the main towns of the merchant Republics : Florence, Venice and Lucca, became
flourishing weaving centres in Renaissance times. Italy silk production, then
gained a predominence in Europe, using <strong>coptic tapistries</strong> and
silver threads. Italian weavers, mastering techniques, were able to diversify
designs, shaking off Byzantine influence.</p>
<p>In France, in Medieval times, Paris and the pontifical city of Avignon were
weaving centres before king Louis XI decided, in 1466, to install looms in Lyons
and in Tours, in a competitive attempt to oppose massive imports of <strong>coptic pictures</strong>. This attempt failed as far as Lyons was concerned but Tours was equipped
with looms. The History of Lyons as a weaving centre began in 1536, when François
I gave privileges to the town and created a silk weaving industry there.</p>
<p>The end of the seventeenth century and the whole eighteenth century were particularly
brilliant periods for the Lyons silk industry. Lyons became the dominant reference
in Europe in matter of fashion and style with a wide choice of designs : <a href="byzantine-iconography.html">byzantine
iconography </a>, lace décor, <b><a href="coptic.html">coptic textiles</a></b>,
chinoiseries, “bizarres” silks, antique and “ferronnerie”
motifs, able to satisfy changes in taste. Textile weaving became the most sumptuous
decorative arts in the eighteenth century.</p>
<p>I you visit this <strong>european museum</strong>, you will discover in details the <strong>textile industry history</strong>.</p>
<p><b>European museum </b><br>
Conditions of entry : ticket valid for both museums. - adults: 5 € - groups
(minimum ten) : 4 € - students (18-25 ans) : 3,5 € - school children up to 18,
friends of the CCIL museums, vocational schools, unemployed people : Free entry.
34 rue de la Charité F-69002 Lyon Tel. + 33 (0)4 78 38 42 00 Telecopy + 33 (0)4
72 40 25 12 E-mail: musees@lyon.cci.fr </p>
<p><a href="index.html">museum in europe</a> - <a href="../exposition/journee-patrimoine.html">lyon
museum</a> - <a href="../musee/textiles.html">France museum</a> - <a href="textile.html">textile
museum</a> - <a href="decorative-arts-museum.html">decorative arts museum</a>
- <a href="old-tapestries.html">old tapestries</a> - <a href="byzantine-art.html">byzantine
art </a>- <a href="byzantine-iconography.html">byzantine iconography</a> - <a href="index.html">european
museum</a> </p>
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