Sample
Unknown Artist
early 19th century
Medium
Silk
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Maria P. James, 1911
Accession Number
11.60.744
Art Historical Context
This delicate silk sample from early 19th-century France the elegance of European decorative arts during a time of cultural renewal after the Napoleonic Wars. Classified as a woven textile, showcases the refined craftsmanship of French weavers, who were renowned for producing luxurious fabrics that adorned the elite's wardrobes and interiors. The medium of silk—prized for its shimmering sheen and durability—underscores its role in everyday opulence, from gowns to upholstery. Woven textiles like this one reflect advanced loom techniques that allowed intricate patterns, blending functionality w...