Armazine was a type ofcordedsilk used for women's gowns and men's waistcoats, first known from theElizabethan era. It was also calledarmoisine,armozine andermozine.[1]
The European armazine was a plain black color.[2] Colorful East Indian armazine was said to be "slighter than those made in Europe and of an inferior quality. Their colours, and particularly the crimson and red, are commonly false, and they have but little gloss, and no brightness at all". The European centres of manufacture wereLyon andItaly.[3]
Ribbed armazine in the 19th century was heavier and used forcoverlets, curtains andportières. The thick black corded silk ("a kind oftaffeta") was used for "scholastic gowns, and for hatbands and scarves".[3]
