Piece
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk and metal thread
Dimensions
L. 40 x W. 20 1/2 inches (101.6 x 52.1 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Velvets
Culture
Russian, Moscow
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of George D. Pratt, 1930
Accession Number
30.98.10
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite velvet textile panel, originating from 18th-century Moscow, Russia, an impressive 40 by ½ inches and is crafted from luxurious silk and metal threads. Titled simply *Piece*, it exemplifies the opulence of Russian decorative arts during a period of cultural flourishing under the Romanov dynasty. The floral motifs, a hallmark tag for this work, likely evoke the natural splendor celebrated in Russian ornamental traditions, rendered with intricate weaving that highlights the medium's tactile richness and shimmering surface. Velvets like this were prized for their versatility, often...