A stiff, woven fabric made with silk and horsehair or other materials, historically used for upholstery, decoration, and garments, particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
From French 'barracan,' derived from Persian 'baracan' or Arabic origins. The term traveled through Mediterranean trade routes and entered English textile vocabulary during the Renaissance as luxury fabrics moved from the East.
Barracan was expensive and fancy—only wealthy families could afford it for their furniture, and its stiffness made it perfect for creating dramatic shapes in women's gowns, so wearing barracan was a status symbol showing you had money.
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