Textile
This object is from a collection of sample embroideries, which was originally owned by Morris de Camp Crawford, editor of Women's Wear Daily, who collected objects which told the story of fashion and fabric history. Included in this collection was a group of textiles which illustrated what American and French designers and manufacturers were using. According to Crawford's book The Ways of Fashion, the work of Polish artist Sarah Lipska (1882-1973) was represented in this collection. Lipska is an enigmatic figure, who is known to have worked with Leon Bakst as a set and costume designer for the Ballets Russes, and later in the 1920s as a fashion designer in Paris at 4 rue Belloni, and finally as a sculptor. Extant examples of her work are rare. Although only a few pieces in the Brooklyn Museum collection bear a label or a signature, others bear hallmarks of her work, such as a distinctive form of whip stitching on appliqué work, unusual abstract motifs, and Cubist-inspired patterns.
The brilliant coloration and graphic impact of this piece strongly connects it to both the work of Sarah Lipska and the Myrbor couture house. The quality and character of the work is also reminiscent of work done by both Lipska and her colleague Natalia Goncharova for the Ballets Russes. The whip stitching used to apply the appliqués on to the brilliant blue chiffon is a hallmark of Lipska's designs, and is also seen on other Myrbor designs in the Brooklyn Museum collection (see 2009.300.3246a, b, 2009.300.3247 and 2009.300.3248). This piece also bears a tag which designates a connection with the couture house. The stipple marks that indicate the placement of appliqués suggest that this was a work in progress, and provides insight into the design process for embroidery.
The brilliant coloration and graphic impact of this piece strongly connects it to both the work of Sarah Lipska and the Myrbor couture house. The quality and character of the work is also reminiscent of work done by both Lipska and her colleague Natalia Goncharova for the Ballets Russes. The whip stitching used to apply the appliqués on to the brilliant blue chiffon is a hallmark of Lipska's designs, and is also seen on other Myrbor designs in the Brooklyn Museum collection (see 2009.300.3246a, b, 2009.300.3247 and 2009.300.3248). This piece also bears a tag which designates a connection with the couture house. The stipple marks that indicate the placement of appliqués suggest that this was a work in progress, and provides insight into the design process for embroidery.
Artwork Details
- Title: Textile
- Design House: Myrbor (French, 1922–1936)
- Designer: Attributed to Sarah Lipska (Polish, 1882–1973)
- Date: 1923
- Culture: French
- Medium: silk, metal
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Adelaide Goan, 1964
- Object Number: 2009.300.3837
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Myrbor
1929
Myrbor
Sarah Lipska
1925–29
Myrbor
Sarah Lipska
1920–29
Myrbor
Sarah Lipska
1923
Myrbor
Sarah Lipska
ca. 1925
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.