Fragment

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk fragment, dating to the 19th and possibly of French origin, offers a glimpse into the refined world of European textile artistry. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decor Arts, it is classified as a woven textile featuring a delicate motif of leaves. Acquired through the bequest of Maria P. James in1911, this small survivor showcases the luxurious sheen and intricate patterning typical of high-quality silk production during an era when such fabrics adorned fashionable garments, furnishings, and ecclesiastical vestments. In 19th-...