ticketsMember | Make a donation

Fragment of damask with marriage emblems

first half 16th century
Not on view
This splendid piece of silk damask features a pattern of ovoid forms framed by a garland of leaves, with the repeat separated into fields including a large diamond ring emerging from a crown from which hang three pears. This pattern, or ones quite similar, range in date from 1516 to well into the seventeenth century; its popularity raises the interesting question of the heraldry's identification. It is often thought to have been designed for the Medici—the diamond ring being one of their symbols—or another family whose name played on the word pera, or pear, such as the Peruzzi or the Peri. However, its widespread use suggests the motif of the ring must have made it appropriate for many families, maybe within the context of a wedding.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Fragment of damask with marriage emblems
  • Date: first half 16th century
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Silk
  • Dimensions: L. 26 x W. 23 inches (66.0 x 58.4 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Woven
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1946
  • Object Number: 46.156.116
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Panel of velvet, Silk and metal thread, Italian or Spanish
Panel of velvet
Italian or Spanish
second half 16th century
Panel of velvet, Silk and metal thread, Italian, probably Florence
Panel of velvet
Italian, probably Florence
second half 16th century
Panel of velvet, Silk and metal-wrapped thread, pile-on-pile cut, voided and brocaded velvet with metal-wrapped thread loops, Italian
Panel of velvet
Italian
second half 15th century
The Throne of Grace, Or nué embroidery of silk and metal thread, Italian, probably Florence
The Throne of Grace
Italian, probably Florence
mid-15th century
The Birth of John the Baptist, Benozzo Gozzoli (Benozzo di Lese di Sandro) Italian, Or nué embroidery of silk and metal thread, Italian, probably Florence
The Birth of John the Baptist
Benozzo Gozzoli (Benozzo di Lese di Sandro)
1460–80

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.