Fringe

Art Historical Context

This delicate cotton fringe, dating to the 17th–18th centuries, exemplifies the exquisite textile trimmings that adorned Europe's lavish interiors and wardrobes. Measuring just 8 x 2½ inches (20.3 x 6.4 cm), this small yet intricate piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative collection was acquired through the Rogers Fund in 8. Likely European in origin, it reflects the era's obsession with ornamentation during the Baroque and Rococo, when such embellishments transformed everyday fabrics into symbols of wealth and refinement. Crafted from cotton—a material i...