Silk Fragment with Wavy-vine Pattern on Green Ground

Unknown

16th century · Silk, metal wrapped thread; lampas (kemha) · Islamic Art

Spectacular, large-pattern silks were favored materials for luxury garments among the courtly elite of sixteenth-century Istanbul, and were often used for the bold, richly colored kaftans of the Ottoman sultans. This rectangular silk fragment features a design of red undulating vines bearing rosettes, on a gold-green ground. A series of small rosettes of gold, blue, green, and yellow fill each vine, and larger rosettes punctuate the vine. Emanating from the vines are peacock tails and tulips, with details executed in blue, green, and pink.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Silk, metal wrapped thread; lampas (kemha)

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1952