Copper metallic textile

Cheney Brothers|Associated Artists

1883–1900 · Silk and copper thread, woven · The American Wing

Before the 1880s it was difficult for American decorators to obtain quality fabrics from local textile manufacturers. By working with the Cheney Brothers mill (1838-1955), Candace Wheeler (1827-1923) was able to create innovative new textiles that fit her artistic vision. Among them were metallic cloths, which she used as the ground fabric for some of her most luxurious hangings. This copper-toned example was woven from a warp of tan silk and a weft of copper threads composed of finely cut strips of copper sheeting wound around a red-dyed cotton core. Wheeler and the Cheney Brothers also produced metallic cloths with the appearance of silver and gold.

Artist

Cheney Brothers|Associated Artists

Date

1883–1900

Medium

Silk and copper thread, woven

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Boudinot Keith, 1928