Assomption Sashes

C.W. Jefferys' notes about this picture from The Picture Gallery of Canadian History Volume 2

Assomption Sash, by Marius Barbeau, a bulletin issued by The National Museum of Canada, Ottawa, gives full information on these sashes, their origin, history and method of weaving, with many illustrations. The author is the leading authority on French-Canadian handicrafts, and his monograph is based on years of research among old records, and the detailed examination of numerous specimens.

The art of weaving these sashes was almost lost when in 1907 the Canadian Handicrafts Guild of Montreal exhibited several of them, and engaged Mme. Venne, one of the few surviving hand weavers, to give a public demonstration of their manufacture. Dr. E. Z. Massicotte became interested and took the initiative in their preservation, and with Dr. Barbeau aroused a revival of interest in this interesting handicraft. Thanks to their efforts the technique is now being taught in the handicraft schools, and hand-woven sashes are now being made in various parts of the province.