Fragment
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Silk on silk
Dimensions
L. 5 5/8 x W. 18 inches (14.3 x 45.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture
German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1909
Accession Number
09.50.1746
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Fragment* from 19th-century Germany showcases the exquisite artistry of embroidered textiles, a hallmark of European decorative arts. Crafted silk on silk, the strip—measuring just 5⅝ by 18 inches—features intricate motifs of flowers and leaves, with fine stitching that highlights the natural elegance of botanical forms. Such fragments often survived from larger pieces like garments, table lin, or upholstery, offering a glimpse into the refined domestic life of the era. The silk-on-silk medium underscores the luxury and technical mastery of German needlework during the 19th cen...