A length of Spitalfields' ivory silk, mid-18th century, brocaded in coloured silks with floral posies, the ground figured with floral meanders, 96 x 51cm, a shaped panel of striped ivory silk, late 18th century, probably French, brocaded in silks and metal thread with columns of climbing roses entwined with feathery gilt meanders, 71 x 43cm, and a collection of mainly striped, figured and brocaded silk fragments, French and English, mainly late 18th century (qty.) The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, that deprived French Protestants of all religious and civil liberties, had a profound impact on all aspects of British decorative arts from silversmithing to furnituremaking. In December 1687, it was estimated that 13,005 French refugees were settled in London - many of them the talented artisans that would help shape the Georgian era. Spitalfields' historic association with the silk industry was established by Huguenots who settled in the area, that was outside the bounds of the City of London guilds, at this time. They typically brought with them little apart from enormous skill and know-how. However, the products they could manufacture - velvets, brocades, satins and watered silks - had previously only been available for procurement at great cost in France. The 18th century saw periodic crises in the silk industry, brought on by cheaper imports, disputes over labour costs and ultimately mechanisation. However, it was silk that funded both the humble weavers' dwellings and the well-appointed master weavers’ terraced houses that still stand today, and give the district its distinct character.