The Colourist: Celebrating the 500th accession to the SDC Textile Collection

Ahead of the SDC’s 2026 AGM, we’re delighted to share an exciting milestone for the SDC Textile Collection as our Historical Collections Officer, Shelley Hollingdrake, has now officially accessioned the 500th item into the archive.  

Since launching the SDC Textile Collection archive in 2024, we’ve continued working to preserve, catalogue, and share the rich history of textile dyeing, printing, and colouration. What began as an ambitious project to bring our collection of over 50,000 items back ‘in house’ has grown into an evolving online resource for researchers, students, industry professionals, and anyone with an interest in textile heritage. 

Reaching 500 accessioned objects feels particularly significant, not only because of the scale of the work involved, but because every item helps tell the story of our industry and the people who shaped it. 

So, what is the 500th object? 

Appropriately, the 500th accessioned object is something closely connected to the Society’s own history and one of the most important figures in colour chemistry — Sir William Henry Perkin. 

The item is a collection of Tiffany silverware presented to Perkin in 1906 by his American friends to mark the fiftieth anniversary of his discovery of the first synthetic dyestuff, mauvine. 

Produced by Tiffany & Co. the seven-piece collection is embossed with the chemical formula of one of Perkin’s discoveries on each individual piece, making it both scientifically and historically fascinating. 

The silverware forms part of our wider Perkin Collection and arrives at a particularly fitting moment; this year marks the 170th anniversary of Perkin’s groundbreaking discovery of Mauvine, made while he was still a teenager. His work not only transformed the textile industry but also paved the way for scientific and industrial advancements that have profoundly shaped the modern world and the way we live today. 

Our Historical Collections Officer, Shelley Hollingdrake, said: “I am extremely proud to have reached this milestone as part of my work with the collection. This achievement represents a significant labour of love. Revisiting our solander boxes (now returned to Perkin House) and rediscovering the depth and quality of our collection has been both rewarding and inspiring. 

“It felt especially appropriate that the 500th object should reflect something of particular significance to the SDC. An item connected to William Henry Perkin and his discovery of the first synthetic dyestuff, was therefore a natural choice.” 

Explore the collection 

Our Textile Collection continues to grow as more objects are catalogued and added to the archive, helping us preserve and share the stories behind textile innovation, dyeing, colour, and design history. 

You can explore the collection online at SDC Textile Collection