Equipment Used for the Production of Passementerie
ca. 1775
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. George A. Kubler
Accession Number
1949-152-183
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
In the late 18th century, engraver Robert Bénard (1734–1772) captured intricate world of artisanal craftsmanship in *Equipment Used for the Production of Passementerie* (ca. 1775). This print, now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection (gift of Mrs. George A. Kubler), depicts specialized tools and machinery employed in creating passementerie—ornate trimmings like braids, fringes, and tass that adorned clothing, upholstery, and interiors during the opulent Rococo and early Neoclassical eras. Bénard's precise engravings reflect the Enlightenment's fascination with documenting trades, ...