Cuff
1850/75
Medium
Cotton, plain weave; cut and drawn work embroidered in buttonhole, eyelet, hem and overcast stitches; embroidered in back, buttonhole, overcast, and padded satin stitches; insertions of cotton, bobbin straight lace of a type known as "Valenciennes"; edged with cotton and linen, bobbin straight lace
Dimensions
9.8 × 21.2 cm (3 7/8 × 8 3/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
74438
Art Historical Context
This delicate cuff, crafted between 1850 and 1875, exemplifies the exquisite needlework of the Victorian era, when finely embroidered textiles adorned women's fashion as marks of refinement and skill. Made from cotton plain weave, features intricate cut and drawn work—techniques that remove threads to create open patterns—embellished with buttonhole, eyelet, hem, overcast stitches. Additional back, buttonhole, overcast, and padded stitches add texture and depth, showcasing the meticulous handiwork typical of domestic arts practiced by women at home. What sets this cuff apart are its insertion...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...