Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk velvet fragment, hailing from Genoa, Italy, around 1780–85, exemplifies the city's enduring legacy as a premier center for luxury textile production. Measuring an impressive 110 inches in length and 25 inches width, this narrow panel likely served as a furnishing fabric, ecclesiastical vestment, or opulent garment trimming. Adorned with delicate floral motifs—a hallmark of Genoese design—it showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of anonymous artisans who wove sumptuous patterns into silk pile for Europe's elite. Genoese velvets were celebrated across the continent for thei...