Shawl
c. 1815/20
Medium
Silk, plain 1:1 gauze weave with supplementary brocading wefts
Dimensions
114 × 100 cm (44 7/8 × 39 1/2 in.); Repeat: 26.7 × 12.7 cm (10 1/2 × 5 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
45887
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of early 19th-century fashion with this elegant silk shawl, created around 1815–1820. Measuring 114 × 100 cm, it captures the delicate allure of Regency-era accessories, designed for draping over shoulders or gowns. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles department, this piece exemplifies the artistry of anonymous craftsmen who elevated everyday wear into wearable masterpieces. Crafted in a plain 1:1 gauze weave—a lightweight, open structure that allows airiness and subtle sheerness—the shawl gains its visual splendor through supplementary brocading weft...
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...