Ribbon
Unknown Artist
early 19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
1 1/4 x 20 inches 3.2 x 50.8 cm
Classification
Textiles-Trimmings
Culture
possibly French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Miss Harriet Abbe, 1920
Accession Number
20.82.13
Art Historical Context
This delicate silk ribbon, dating to the early 19 century and possibly of French origin, exemplifies the exquisite textiles that adorned European fashion and interiors during the Regency and Empire periods. Measuring just 1¼ x 20 inches, it as a trimming—a versatile embellishment for garments, hats, upholstery, or accessories. France, particularly Lyon, was renowned for its silk weaving industry, producing luxurious fabrics that symbolized refinement and status amid the Napoleonic era's opulent tastes. Crafted from fine silk, the ribbon highlights advanced textile techniques of the time, like...