Pillow Cover
17th/18th century
Medium
Linen, plain weave; embroidered with silk in cross and four-sided stitches; joined with silk, needle-made oblique interlacing
Dimensions
52.8 × 43.2 cm (20 3/4 × 17 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
79137
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Pillow Cover** from 17th or 18th century, housed in the Art Institute of's Textiles Department, showcases the refined artistry of everyday domestic life. Crafted from a-weave linen base, it is richly embroidered with silk threads using cross and four-sided stitches—iques prized for their geometric precision and durability. The panels are seamlessly joined by silk in needle-made oblique interlacing, clever method that creates a strong, lace-like edge without visible seams. In the Baroque and early Rococo eras, such textiles were essential household items, often produced by skil...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...