Piece

Unknown

16th century · Silk · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Velvet with the pattern delineated solely by the contrast between two heights of the dense silk velvet pile was particularly popular in the sixteenth century. This pattern of lobed palmettes, sometimes incorporating crowns, was made into robes or sashes worn by the senators of the Venetian Republic. It was also used to make ecclesiastical vestments. The crimson shade is associated with the Venetian senators, but the Museum also has an example woven in deep blue silk.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Silk

Culture

Italian, probably Venice

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1946