Fragment

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk velvet fragment, hailing from 15th-century Italy, a tantalizing glimpse into the Renaissance era's opulent textile artistry. Measuring just 9 1/8 x 5 3/4 inches, this small survivor from an unknown workshop exemplifies the technical mastery of Italian weavers, particularly in centers like Venice, Genoa, and Florence. Velvets like this were prized for their luxurious sheen and tactile depth, achieved through a complex weaving process that created a soft, cut-pile surface—often more costly than gold thread equivalents. In the vibrant cultural landscape of quattrocento Italy,...