Panel (Apparel?)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite velvet panel, possibly intended for apparel, hails from the 17th century and reflects the opulence of Italian or Spanish textile traditions. Measuring a slender 60 x 23 cm, it is woven from luxurious silk enriched with metal threads—likely gold or silver—creating a shimmering, tactile surface that catches the light. As part of the Robert Lehman at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (quired in 1975), it exemplifies the high craftsmanship of European velvets during the Baroque era, when such fabrics adorned the elite's garments, ecclesiastical vestments, and lavish interiors. Velvet ...