Border
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk on linen
Dimensions
H. 4 1/2 x W. 48 1/2 inches (11.4 x 123.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture
Italian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, 1879
Accession Number
79.1.62
Art Historical Context
This exquisite embroidered border, crafted by an unknown Italian artist in the 18th, exemplifies the refined artistry of Europe's decorative textile tradition. Measuring a slender 4½ by 48½ inches, it was created using vibrant silk threads on a linen, a technique that highlights the meticulous skill of Italian needleworkers. Such borders were often used to adorn garments, linens, or furnishings, adding elegance and status to everyday luxury items during the opulent Rococo era. In 18th-century Italy, embroidery flourished as a hallmark of cultural sophistication, blending intricate stitching w...