Fragment
1838/1855
Medium
Silk, satin weave with supplementary patterning warps and pile warps forming cut voided velvet
Dimensions
24.4 × 47 cm (9 5/8 × 18 1/2 in.); Repeat: 11.6 × 5.1 cm (4 5/8 × 2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
77594
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This work exemplifies American efforts toward domestic silk production in the early 19th century. At the time, some Americans expressed concern that the importation of luxury goods, such as silk, from Europe, did not properly showcase the nation’s greatness. Under the direction of Gertrude Rapp, members of the Harmony Society, a small pious sect of Lutheran immigrants, raised silkworms and wove silk textiles. Although members supposedly had no interest in fashion or luxury, this colorful silk ve...