Valance
Unknown Artist
ca. 1790
Medium
Printed cotton, English fabric
Dimensions
166 x 23 in. (421.6 x 58.4 cm)
Classification
Valance
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George Seligman, 1957
Accession Number
57.56
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant valance, crafted around1790 from printed English cotton, exemplifies the refined domestic textiles that graced American homes during the early Federal period. Measuring an impressive 166 x23 inches, it was used as a decorative hanging a bed or window, adding a touch of sophistication to everyday interiors. Though the artist remains unknown, the fabric's origins in England highlight the transatlantic trade that brought affordable luxury to the newly independent United States, where such imported goods symbolized status and taste amid post-Revolutionary prosperity. The printed moti...