Waistcoat Front Panel
1760s
Medium
Cotton, plain weave; embroidered with silk yarns and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk in chain stitches
Dimensions
88.2 × 41.9 cm (34 1/4 × 16 1/2 in.)
Classification
waistcoat (garment)
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
254717
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
By the 18th century Indian textile artisans had already been celebrated internationally for centuries for their cotton textiles, whether embroidered or dyed in bright colors. This waistcoat front panel exemplifies Indian makers’ ability to cater to the taste of foreign markets: the shape of the embroidery was made to the specifications of Western European tailoring.
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...