Length of Woven Silk
1720s
Medium
Silk, plain weave with plain interlacings of secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts and 1:3 'Z' twill interlacings of secondary binding warps and supplementary brocading wefts
Dimensions
93.3 × 41.2 cm (36 3/4 × 16 1/8 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 42 cm (16 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
153631
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Many of the woven silk textiles of the 1720s contain lace-like details such as those on this example, in which delicate patterns fill the petals and leaves, which surround stylized flowers. The colors employed reflect a knowledge of Persian textiles, subtle to modern eyes but apparent to 18th-century viewers.
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Length of Woven Silk from the 1720s offers a glimpse into the pinnacle early 18th-century textile. Measuring 93.3 × 41.2 cm with a warp repeat of 42 cm, this fragment showcases the opulence of silk production during an era when luxurious fabrics draped the elite across Europe and beyond. Likely intended for high-status garments or furnishings, its vibrant patterning—achieved through intricate weaving—reflects the demand for sumptuous materials in the Baroque and emerging Rococo styles. Crafted in silk using a plain weave foundation enhanced by secondary binding warps, the piece employs sophisticated techniques: plain interlacings with supplementary patterning wefts for textured motifs, and 1:3 'Z' twill interlacings paired with brocading wefts for raised, metallic-like effects. These methods, reliant on skilled drawloom operation predating the Jacquard loom, highlight the weavers' technical prowess and the labor-intensive process that made such silks status symbols. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles Department, this artifact underscores silk's cultural importance as a global trade commodity and artistic medium. It invites us to appreciate the unseen hands behind these shimmering designs, bridging craftsmanship and commerce in a transformative age.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...