Salesman's Sample
1780/90
Medium
Silk, warp-float faced satin weave; appliquéd with silk, warp-float faced satin weave; embroidered with silk floss and yarns in outline, satin, single satin and stem stitches; couching and French knots
Dimensions
22.9 × 14 cm (9 × 5 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
92794
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of late th-century textiles with this exquisite *Salesman's Sample* from around 1780–90, now housed in the Art Institute Chicago's Textiles Department. Measuring just 9 × 5½ inches, this petite silk masterpiece served a practical purpose: salesmen carried such miniatures to showcase luxurious fabrics to wealthy clients, from gown makers to interior decorators, without the burden of full bolts. Crafted in warp-float faced satin weave technique yielding a glossy, reflective surface—this sample highlights the era's pinnacle of silk production, likely from European cent...
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...