Cover

Art Historical Context

This exquisite velvet cover, dating to the late 16 or early 17th, hails from either Italy or Spain—regions celebrated for their mastery of luxurious textiles during the Renaissance and early Baroque eras. Crafted from silk, metal threads, and cotton, it measures an impressive 42 x 47 inches, suggesting its use as a bedcover, altar frontal, or ceremonial drape for elite households or ecclesiastical settings. The Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired it in 1975, preserving a rare example of opulent European weaving. Velvets like this were symbols of wealth and piet...