Hi Jennifer,
I am not sure cashmere was used in Tibet - most woollen Tibetan fabrics are more sturdy and thicker because of the extremes of climate. Felt is used but not as commonly as woven woollen fabric which is then combed to thicken it and make it into a warmer fabric - the use of the term 'felt' in this extract is not accurate - they are talking about a woven fabric. As the term 'tibet fabric' is such so generic it could refer to this traditional Tibetan woollen fabric - see below - (extract from www.chinaculture.org). This fabric is sometimes tie-dyed for decoration. The use of the cross-shaped designs mentioned below is very common. I have some here and could photograph it and send if you are interested.
I can check with V&A curators in the Asian department for a more academic source.
Best,
Lynda Hillyer
Pulu is Tibetans' traditional woolen fabric and the main material for making robes, boots, hats, and other items for Tibetans in farming areas, and
in cities and towns. The fabric has a history of more than 2,000 years.
Pulu is as important and popular among Tibetans as cotton clothes are to inland Chinese.
Pulu is fine and thick, soft and smooth. It is made of Tibetan felt
and usually white. Wool is the raw ingredient in the process of making
the material.
First, it is fluffed and combed before it is twisted into a thread
around a spindle using fingers. It is then weaved with a wood shuttle
loom into pulu.
The fabric is generally about 24 centimeters wide, and can be dyed black
to be made into clothes, shoes and hats. It is typically dyed red, blue
or green when it is used as adornment. In addition to monochromatic
cloth, pulu can also be dyed with cross-shaped designs.
Pulu is found in many types. It is thick and durable, warm, windproof, and rainproof. Robes made of pulu are water-repellent.
There are clear and definite records showing that pulu fabric was
very popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In the Yuan
Dynasty (1271-1368), pulu was carried to the imperial palaces of the
Central Plains as a tribute.
Pulu production is quite popular in agricultural areas and areas that are semi-agricultural and practice some animal husbandry. Chanang,
Nanggarze, Gyangze and Mangkan are best known for their production of
pulu, and products made with it are transported and sold in other places of China and even abroad.
________________________________
From: Jennifer Barnett <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, 11 January 2013, 16:01
Subject: what is 'tibet' fabric?
Greetings all,
In the course of translating cultural heritage terms from Dutch to English, I have come across 'tibet', a Dutch term, defined as 'Very fine woollen twill fabric for making dresses'. Not much to go on, but it is most probably an historical fabric and possibly made from cashmire.
For this translation project, at least two reliable sources are required for each term so no guesses or hunches can be used unless references can be found to support them. Having said that, any suggested terms which could lead to a correct verified one would be greatly appreciated as well as any concrete suggestions.
With thanks,
Jennifer Barnett
Tournebise
L.D. La Goutte
FR - 42260
Tel +33 (0)477 65 20 11
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