Fringe
Unknown Artist
18th century (?)
Medium
Silk and metal thread
Dimensions
L. 55 x W. 6 inches (139.7 x 15.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Trimmings
Culture
European
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of The United Piece Dye Works, 1936
Accession Number
36.90.1968
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Fringe* from the18th century exemplifies the opulent textile trimmings that adorned Europe's elite wardrobes and interiors. Crafted from luxurious silk and metal threads, this narrow band measures 55 inches long by 6 inches wide, designed as a decorative edging to elevate garments, upholstery, or drapery. The unknown European artisan wove these shimmering materials to create a tactile, light-catching effect, where the silk provided softness and the metal threads—likely gold or silver—added a regal gleam, reflecting the era's fascination with sumptuous surfaces. In the context ...