Curator

  • Art Institute Chicago
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A work made of silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, plain weave with supplementary patterning wefts and pile warps forming cut and voided velvet.

Panel

c. 1950

Italy

Italy

The charming strawberry pattern of this velvet speaks to consumer desire for color in postwar Europe, after years of austerity. While the pattern features the stylization and playfulness common in furnishing fabrics of the period, the materials employed for weaving the pattern reflect historical precedent. Precious silk and gold were used to produce the cut and voided velvet design.

Silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, plain weave with supplementary patterning wefts and pile warps forming cut and voided velvet

Textiles