Shawl
c. 1855/62
Medium
Silk and wool, twill weave with supplementary patterning wefts bound in twill interlacings; main warp fringe; woven on a loom with a Jacquard attachment
Dimensions
354 × 152.3 cm (129 3/8 × 59 7/8 in.)
Classification
weaving
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
189604
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of 19th-century textiles with *Shawl* by Anthony Berrus, created around 1855–62. This stunning piece, measuring an impressive 354 × 152.3 cm, is crafted from silk and wool using a twill weave enhanced by supplementary patterning wefts bound in tw interlacings. Finished with a main warp fringe, it exemplifies the luxurious accessories that graced the shoulders of Victorian women, blending functionality with opulent design. What sets this shawl apart is its production on a loom equipped with a Jacquard attachment—a groundbreaking 19th-century innovation by Joseph Mar...