Cover
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
silk; metal
Dimensions
Including tape and edging: 157 x 54.5 cm (61 7/8 x 21 1/2 in)
Classification
Textiles-Velvets
Culture
Italian
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.2428
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 17th-century Italian velvet cover, crafted from luxurious silk interwoven with metal threads, exemplifies the opulence of Baroque-era textile production. Created in Italy during a period when the region dominated European markets for fine fabrics, the piece reflects the era’s emphasis on rich materials and intricate craftsmanship. Its substantial dimensions—157 by 54.5 centimeters, including tape and edging—suggest it may have served as a decorative furnishing cover, adding warmth and splendor to domestic or ecclesiastical interiors. The use of metal threads, likely silver or g...