Piece
Unknown Artist
16th–17th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
L. 36 x W. 19 inches (91.4 x 48.3 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Velvets
Culture
Italian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Kate Read Blacque, in memory of her husband, Valentine Alexander Blacque, 1933
Accession Number
33.95.11a
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk velvet fragment, known simply as *Piece*, hails from Italy during the 16th17th centuries, a golden era for European textile arts. Produced in renowned weaving centers like Venice, Genoa, or Florence, velvets were prized for their opulent sheen and intricate pile weaves, where silk threads were cut and looped to create luxurious textures. Measuring 36 x 19 inches (91.4 x 48.3 cm), this example exemplifies the technical mastery of the time, blending functionality with high artistry in the realm of decorative arts. Velvets like this were status symbols, adorning ecclesiastica...