Fragment
1601/25
Medium
Silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, warp-faced plain weave with supplementary patterning wefts and supplementary brocading wefts
Dimensions
34.2 × 18.4 cm (13 1/2 × 7 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
1861
Art Historical Context
This exquisite textile fragment, dating to around 1601–1625, showcases the pinnacle of early 17th-century weaving artistry. Measuring a modest 34.2 × 18.4 cm, it was crafted from luxurious silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk using a warp-faced plain weave enhanced by supplementary patterning wefts and brocading wefts. These sophisticated techniques allowed artisans to create intricate designs with raised, metallic gold threads that catch the light, evoking opulence and status. Though the artist remains unknown, the fragment's construction points to a high level of technical mastery typical...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...