The History of Stencils

The practice of stencilling, or the art of painting repeat patterns through cut-out holes in a flat surface, has probably been around since pre-historic times, either to tell stories or just for decorative purposes. Cave-dwelling man produced stencil like images of animals, and the ancient egyptians used them extensively both inside and outside their elaborate tombs. The people of Fiji applied vegetable dies onto bark cloth through primative stencils cut from banana leaves, and in the Roman empire stencils were first used commercially, to make the banners that advertised the popular games.

Image by LollyKnit via Flickr

It was the in 8th-century Japan, however, that stencilling was first given truely artistic form. The process was developed to such a superb level that amazingly fine details and intricate patterns became possible. In a technique known as “katazune”, expert craftsmen strengthened their paper – which could be so complex it resembled a web of holes with tiny, fragile links – with fine silk threads or hair. They used sheets of waterproof paper made from mulberry fibre, in two layers at once – the threads or hair glued between them for extra support. The paper could be used several times, but when it became too damp, another stencil, exactly the same, was cut from a master, and registered using tiny pin holes.

The colour was applied with a large, soft brush, or sometimes a rice-based resist paste was stencilled on and the cloth later immersed in a dye bath. Some fabrics were relatively simple; others were stencilled with many different patterns, one after another, and then embellished with hand-painting and embroidery for unsurpassed effect. This type of stencilling was the sole method of printing used in Japan until the 19th century. Elsewhere, meanwhile, more basic stencils could be found. The craft was brought to medievel Europe by returning crusaders, and used for religeous pictures and manuscripts, and also in grander manor houses for wall decorations, using rich colours and simple, repeat patterns, such as fluers de lys.

Image via Wikipedia

Similarly, stencils became a popular substitute for expensive wallpaper in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The method was also used for chairs, trays, boxes, bedspreads and other textiles, and there was a corresponding fashion for stencilled pictures, on a velvet background, of baskets of fruit and flowers.

In the 21st century, stencilling is still an admired craft. It may no longer be commonly practised professionally, but it is a means of producing patterns at home easily and in-expensively, using ready-made stencils or your own designs. On fabric, paper, walls, floors, furniture and accessories, the permutations of design and colour are practically limitless, whether the look is simple or sophisticated, traditional or modern.