Fragment
Unknown Artist
16th or 17th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
39 5/8 x 21 5/8 in. (102 x 55.2 cm) with selvages opened
Classification
Textiles-Velvets
Culture
Italian or Spanish
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1828
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk velvet fragment, hailing from the 16 or 17th century offers a tantalizing glimpse into the opulent textile arts of Renaissance or early Baroque Italy or Spain. Measuring an impressive 39⅝ × 21⅝ inches (with selvages opened, indicating it was likely part of a larger woven), this piece exemplifies the luxurious velvets prized by Europe's elite. These fabrics were not mere cloth but status symbols adorning ecclesiastical vestments, royal garments, and lavish furnishings in palaces and cathedrals. Velvet production reached its zenith during this era, particularly in Italian ce...