Next to the numerous enterprises producing articles
for the home and for dresses, there were some specialised
firms.
Arnold Fraefel, aged 40 in 1883, started a St Gallen house
for ecclesiastical embroidery. Coloured
embroidery which was applied to vestments was produced
here by hand and with the machine.
Several samples of this firm can be seen in the collection
of a surviving textile firm in St Gallen.
Of special significance are the books of designs
and photographs, compiled by the owner
of the firm. Actual sample collections are, however, not
in existence.
In his house, Fraefel employed hand embroiderers and needlewomen. He gave orders for machine embroidery to home workers who were associated by contracts
Fraefel received in 1888
a gold medal at the "Esposizione Mondiale
Vaticana" for his ecclesiastical embroideries.
In 1912, Fraefel & Co. published a richly illustrated
Special Catalogue for USA.
The firm reached its highest peak under the direction of
Arnold Fraefel.
In Germany, there were branches in Karlsruhe and Friedrichshafen, in the United States in Toledo (Ohio), Chicago and New York. Fraefel sold the vestments also to England, Poland and Australia.
From 1919 his son Gallus ran the firm, and from 1958 his grandson Arnold. The third generation produced mainly badges and flags, and in 1983 the firm ceased to exist.
Fraefel had bought the basic materials
for the vestments from the best-known firms. He purchased
goldend thread from Duviard in Lyon and
silk fabrics from Wolters & Dutzenberg in
Krefeld.
The coloured "z"-spun yarns, especially made
for Fraefel were provided by the firm of Zwicky
in Wallisellen, Switzerland, while cotton yarns
were produced by Heer & Co. Uzwil,
Switzerland.
Reference:
21- Numerous papers and certificates are still in the
ownership of the grandson of the founder of the firm. The
following descriptions were compiled according to his
verbal statements.
