Salesman's Sample
1780/90
Medium
Silk, warp-float faced twill weave with supplementary pile warps forming cut, solid velvet; embroidered with silk floss in outline, satin and stem stitches; couching and French knots; silk, plain weave-covered paillettes
Dimensions
23.1 × 12.7 cm (9 1/8 × 5 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
92800
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Salesman's Sample* from 1780–90 offers a glimpse into the opulent world of late 18th-century textile trade. Crafted from luxurious silk in a warp-float faced twill weave, features supplementary pile warps that create a rich, cut velvet surface— a technique prized for its plush texture and depth, ideal for high-end garments or furnishings. just 23.1 × 12.7 cm, this small swatch was likely carried by salesmen to showcase to wealthy clients, highlighting the era's booming luxury fabric market amid Enlightenment-era prosperity and fashion innovation. The artistry shines in its int...
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...