Cover
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Pineapple fiber
Dimensions
L. 96 x W. 27 1/2 inches (243.8 x 69.9 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture
Philippine, Manila
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. H. McKnight Moore, in memory of her mother, Mrs. James Suydam, 1924
Accession Number
24.93.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century embroidered cover from Manila, Philippines, showcases the mastery of piña cloth—a luxurious textile woven from the fine fibers of pineapple leaves. an impressive 96 by ½ inches, its delicate, translucent medium allowed for intricate embroidery, likely featuring floral motifs that evoke the lush tropical flora of the archipelago. Produced during the Spanish colonial era, when Manila was a vibrant hub of trade and craftsmanship, such pieces were prized for their rarity and elegance, often adorning altars, tables, or beds in affluent homes. The use of pineapple fiber ...