Panel (Furnishing Fabric)
1885/90
Medium
Silk, cotton, and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped cotton, satin weave with twill interlacings of secondary binding warps and patterning wefts
Dimensions
248.1 × 129.5 cm (97 5/8 × 51 in.); Repeat: 103.3 × 64.2 cm (40 5/8 × 25 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
71282
Art Historical Context
This elegant furnishing fabric panel, produced by the Scottish firm Alexander Morton & Co. between 1885 and 1890, reflects the refined tastes of late Victorian interiors. Measuring nearly eight feet in length, it was designed for grand domestic settings such as drawing rooms or dining rooms, where textiles played a central role in creating an atmosphere of comfort and sophistication. The piece showcases the technical mastery of its makers through a satin weave enriched with twill interlacings and secondary patterning wefts. By combining silk for its luminous sheen, cotton for strength, and co...