Pure silk, one of the oldest known natural fibres, is still highly fashionable even after thousands of years. As early as 5000 years ago silk cloth was produced in China. This beautiful and elegant fabric fascinates mankind with its precious radiance, gossamer touch and strength. As long ago as antiquity, the incomparable haptic inspired the powerful in this world to such a degree that they even weighed it in gold. Kings, emperors and clergy wore splendid silken garments, the wealthy ladies and gentlemen of society would not forego silk clothes.
Silk is obtained from the cocoon of the “Bombix Mori” as pure cultivated silk. The cocoons must remain intact in order to salvage the lucent endless thread. Therefore the pupating creatures are killed using steam or microwaves. Approximately 800 metres of double thread can be unreeled from each cocoon to produce the valuable filament silk. The tangled ends from the outer layer are combed and spun to produce schappe silk and coarse silk.
As early as the 17th century Krefeld became a centre for silk production. Today the small industrial museum Hause der Seidenkultur, former Hubert Gotzes parament weaving factory, presents the history of silk, the fabulous fabric which has characterised the development of the town of Krefeld, also called the “Town like Silk and Velvet”, for three centuries.