Antique John Orr Ewing & Co. “Best Turkey Scarlet” Textile Trade Label | Rare Indian Market Ephemera

A rare and highly decorative antique textile trade label by John Orr Ewing & Co., one of the celebrated Scottish firms associated with the historic Turkey Red textile industry.

The label prominently carries the wording “JOHN ORR EWING & CO.”, “TRADE MARK” and “BEST TURKEY SCARLET”, together with an elaborate Indian-themed central illustration and regional script along the borders. Such colourful trade labels were created for cloth bales exported to overseas markets, particularly India, where richly illustrated imagery helped distinguish textile brands in the marketplace. �

University of Glasgow +1

The label has been preserved within an old wooden frame, retaining its beautiful mustard-gold, deep blue and earthy vintage tones. Natural ageing, surface marks and patina enhance its authentic antique character.

Product Details:

Maker / Brand: John Orr Ewing & Co.

Inscription: “Best Turkey Scarlet”

Type: Antique Textile / Cloth Bale Trade Label

Origin of Company: Scotland

Market Association: Indian textile trade

Medium: Vintage colour-printed paper label

Frame: Old wooden frame

Period: Late 19th-century trade era

Condition: Antique condition with natural age-related wear and patina

Quantity: One unique collectible piece

John Orr Ewing & Co. later became part of the United Turkey Red Co. in 1898, making surviving trade material bearing the earlier company name particularly interesting as historical textile ephemera. �

University of Glasgow

Perfect for collectors of Indian trade labels, textile history, colonial-era commercial art, vintage advertising, chromolithographic ephemera and rare heritage décor.