Hanging
Unknown Artist
late 15th century
Medium
silk; metal; linen
Dimensions
128 1/2 x 22 1/2 in. (326.5 x 57.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Velvets
Culture
Italian, possibly Florence
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1760
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Hanging* from the 15th century exemplifies the opulence of Renaissance Italian textiles, likely produced in Florence, a renowned hub for luxury weaving. Crafted from silk, metal threads, linen, this tall, narrow panel (over 10 feet long and about 2 feet wide) belongs to the prestigious category of velvets. These fabrics were laboriously created using complex looms, where loops of silk pile were cut or left uncut to form intricate patterns, often enhanced with shimmering metal (gold or silver) for a jewel-like effect. Such techniques demanded skilled artisans and costly material...