Technical courses     Publications Specialized Groups     Research Library Egypt, circa 2000-1960 B.C.: Lyon, Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs, pleated tunic, Middle Egypt, Middle Empire. Inv. 46841. England, late 15th century: Edinburgh, National Museums of Scotland, velvet panel, part of a cope. Inv. A 1964-305 France, 18th century: Lyon, Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs, dress « à la française ». Inv. 31936. Byzantium, 8th or 10th-11th century: Lyon, Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs, Shroud of saint Austremoine. Inv. 27386. History 1954 Mr. Wolfgang Fritz Volbach, the Mainz Museum’s curator in Germany, proposed the creation of an International research Centre for Ancient Textiles. He talked about it to the Louvre Museum’s curator who suggested it should be based at the Musée Historique des Tissus in Lyon, under the management of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lyon (CCIL). September 1954 In agreement with the CCIL, the CIETA statutes were registered at the Rhône Prefecture. The President, with a renewable 4 year mandate, was Mr. Robert de Micheaux, the curator of the Musée Historique des Tissus in Lyon. The General Secretary for the technical side was paid by the CCIL. The General Secretary for the administrative side was paid by the Silk Federation. 1956   Six CIETA members took part in the first Technical Course. 1968   The Silk Federation could not carry on its financial engagements, which were then shared by the CCIL and the CIETA. 1969   The CCI took on larger financial and administrative responsibility for the CIETA. The staff have since then been sharing their time between the museum and the CIETA. 1977   Mr. Donald King, Former Head of the Textile and Dress Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, succeeded to Mr. de Micheaux as President of the CIETA. Since 1982   Two Technical Courses are held every year, with a regular attendance of about 15 persons. 1993   Mr. Pierre Arizzoli-Clémentel, General Director of the “Etablissement public du musée et du domaine national de Versailles et des Trianons”, has taken over from Mr. Donald King. EFFECTIFS :   1954-55 : 20 memberss 1970 : 240 1985 : 485 1960 : 150 1975 : 300 2000 : 510 1965 : 190 1980 : 364 2005 : 525   Among the different nations, come first France with 110 members, the USA with 102, Great Britain with 49, Italy with 46 and Germany with 43.