Produced with the classic Jacquard loom, the damask is a single-color textured fabric with glossy-matt contrasting geometric or floral designs. In general, this precious fabric does not have a right and a reverse side and has both sides perfectly finished (even if the shiny bottom is conventionally considered straight).
Damask is instead the damask fabric made with yarns of different colors, so the glossy-opaque effect is extended by the effect of colors.
Traditional and most suitable materials for this precious fabric are fine fibers such as silk, combed Egypt cotton and linen, but aesthetically excellent results can also be obtained with cotton mixed with silk or artificial fibers.
The name "Damascus" comes from the homonymous city in Syria, which was a major producer and exporter in the 12th century. In Italy the first cities to produce it are Venice and Genoa.
In the 17th century it was embellished with gold and silver threads and relief effects - and from these elaborations brocade was born later.
From the nineteenth century the production of this fabric is made with Jacquard looms, with a noticeable decrease in execution times and costs.