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Velvet Fragment with Bird and Flower Design

second half 16th century
Not on view
Among the finest examples of silk velvet in the collection, this fragment is one of a small group of surviving textiles sharing a similar weave structure. While much of this piece appears today as beige, originally the colorful and intricate design floated against a shimmering surface of gold, the background completely covered with flat gilded metal threads, some of which are still visible. Such fabrics were referred to as "gold velvet" by European visitors to the Safavid court. With its finely drawn design, multihued palette, and lavish threads, this textile was one of the most luxurious produced in its day.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Velvet Fragment with Bird and Flower Design
  • Date: second half 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Kashan
  • Medium: Silk; cut and voided velvet, with continuous floats of flat metal thread
  • Dimensions: Textile: H. 21 7/16 in. (54.5 cm)
    W. 13 3/8 in. (33.9 cm)
    Mount: H. 26 1/2 in. (67.3 cm)
    W. 18 in. (45.7 cm)
    D. 1 in. (2.5 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1972
  • Object Number: 1972.26
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Silk Kashan Carpet, Silk (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
Silk Kashan Carpet
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Silk Kashan Carpet, Silk (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
Silk Kashan Carpet
16th century
Textile Fragment, Silk; cut and voided velvet with continuous floats of flat metal thread
Textile Fragment
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Textile Fragment, Silk; cut and voided velvet with continuous floats of flat metal thread
Textile Fragment
ca. 1540
Velvet with Figural Imagery, Silk, metal wrapped thread; cut and voided velvet
Velvet with Figural Imagery
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