Sample (Dress Trimming)
1815/35
Medium
Cotton, twill weave; appliquéd with cotton, twill weave lined with cotton, plain weave
Dimensions
31.2 × 37.8 cm (12 1/4 × 14 7/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
29902
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Sample (Dress Trimming)* from 1815–1835 a glimpse into the refined world of early 19th-century fashion. Crafted as a swatch for adorning women's dresses, it measures a modest 31.2 × 37.8 cm, perfect for designers or seamstresses to preview luxurious details. Housed in the Art Institute Chicago's Textiles Department, this anonymous piece captures the elegance of the Regency and early Romantic eras, when high-waisted gowns and intricate embellishments defined feminine style. The medium showcases skilled textile artistry: a base of cotton twill weave, appliquéd with additional cot...
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...