Length of Woven Silk
1720s
Medium
Silk, plain weave with plain interlacings of secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts and 1:3 'Z' twill interlacings of secondary binding warps and supplementary brocading wefts
Dimensions
93.3 × 41.2 cm (36 3/4 × 16 1/8 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 42 cm (16 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
153631
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Length of Woven Silk from the 1720s offers a glimpse into the pinnacle early 18th-century textile. Measuring 93.3 × 41.2 cm with a warp repeat of 42 cm, this fragment showcases the opulence of silk production during an era when luxurious fabrics draped the elite across Europe and beyond. Likely intended for high-status garments or furnishings, its vibrant patterning—achieved through intricate weaving—reflects the demand for sumptuous materials in the Baroque and emerging Rococo styles. Crafted in silk using a plain weave foundation enhanced by secondary binding warps, the piec...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...