Wall Pocket
17th century
Medium
"Canvas" with paired threads, plain weave; embroidered with silk floss, metal thread would around a silk fiber core, in tent, alternating straight, outline, long, short and couching stitches
Dimensions
73.8 × 27.9 cm (29 × 11 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
109277
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 17th-century domestic life with this exquisite *Wall Pocket*, a functional yet decorative textile masterpiece from the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles collection. Measuring 73.8 × 27.9 cm (29 × 11 in.), it was designed to hang on a wall, holding letters, gloves, or small treasures— a clever blend of utility and ornamentation popular in European households of the era. Crafted by an unknown artist, its canvas foundation of paired threads in a plain weave provided a sturdy base for lavish embroidery. The artwork shines through its masterful stitching techniques...
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...