Gimp
Unknown Artist
15th–16th century
Medium
Silk and metal thread
Dimensions
3 1/2 x 1 /2 inches (8.9 x 1.3 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Trimmings
Culture
Unknown
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1909
Accession Number
09.50.1002
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European and Decorative Arts collection *Gimp* is a textile trimming from the 15th16th centuries, crafted from shimmering silk and metal threads. Measuring just 3½ × ½ inches (8.9 × 1.3 cm), this narrow braid exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Renaissance-era decorative arts. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 9, it invites visitors to appreciate the finer details of historical luxury. During the late medieval and early Renaissance periods in Europe, gimp like this was a coveted embellishment, often woven into elaborate patterns to edge gar...