Cut and uncut velvet, figured with repeat bird pattern, in red and green
Animal patterns in European velvets were rare during this period, which suggests that the unusual design of this polychrome silk velvet was a special commission and may depict the device of a particular family or individual. The unidentified birds facing each other (perhaps swans or herons) are skillfully detailed by fine lines of contrasting color. The silk pile of this velvet is composed of fours colors: two shades of green, punctuated with a deep vivid pink and off-white. The white is almost completely gone—probably due to the corrosive effects of the bleaching process necessary to achieve this color.
Although this appealing object resembles a chasuble– the tabard-like garment worn by Roman Catholic priests– it is actually composed of multiple fragments of the velvet, carefully retained and repurposed, hemmed into patches and stitched together to create the current assemblage. Three different passementerie braids are used on the front to disguise the seams. There are no patterns of wear associated with a used chasuble, and it is more likely that this appealing velvet was thus rearranged by a canny dealer to appeal to the tastes of the gilded age art market.
Although this appealing object resembles a chasuble– the tabard-like garment worn by Roman Catholic priests– it is actually composed of multiple fragments of the velvet, carefully retained and repurposed, hemmed into patches and stitched together to create the current assemblage. Three different passementerie braids are used on the front to disguise the seams. There are no patterns of wear associated with a used chasuble, and it is more likely that this appealing velvet was thus rearranged by a canny dealer to appeal to the tastes of the gilded age art market.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cut and uncut velvet, figured with repeat bird pattern, in red and green
- Date: ca. 1450–1500 (velvet), patched and assembled in the current form ca. 1850
- Culture: Italian
- Medium: Silk
- Dimensions: L. 46 inches (116.8 cm)
- Classifications: Textiles-Velvets, Textiles-Ecclesiastical
- Credit Line: Gift of Ann Payne Blumenthal, 1941
- Object Number: 41.87
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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.
Italian
late 17th century (textile); 18th century (current appearance)
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1835
Italian, Venice
ca. 1730–35
Niccolo Michetti
ca. 1715
Italian or Spanish
second half 16th century
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.