Perfume case

third quarter 17th century

Not on view

Whether or not the resemblance to a fish's iridescent scales and fine fins is intentional or fortuitous, this is a delightful example of a tiny perfume case, small enough to fit comfortably inside the palm of a hand. The three-dimensional patterning is achieved with buttonhole couching, worked in silver thread with purple, blue, pink and green silks.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Perfume case
Date: third quarter 17th century
Culture: British
Medium: Silk and metal thread
Dimensions: L. 3 x W. 2 1/2 inches (7.6 x 6.4 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, by exchange, 1929
Object Number: 29.23.26
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Settee (one of a pair), John Mayhew British, Gilded fruitwood; wool and silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per centimeter), British and French — Settee (one of a pair)
Multiple artists/makers
1769–71

Armchair (one of a set of six), John Mayhew British, Gilded fruitwood; wool and silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per centimeter), British and French — Armchair (one of a set of six)
Multiple artists/makers
1769–71

State bed from Hampton Court, Herefordshire, Wood covered in blue silk damask, British — State bed from Hampton Court, Herefordshire
British
ca. 1698

Tapestry Room from Croome Court, Robert Adam British, Scottish, Plaster, pine, mahogany, bronze-gilt, marble, lapis lazuli, steel; wool and silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per centimeter), British, Worcestershire with French, Paris (Gobelins) tapestry — Tapestry Room from Croome Court
Multiple artists/makers
1763–71

Seasons and Elements (Summer) (set of four), Charles Le Brun French, Canvas; silk, wool, and metal-thread embroidery in tent stitch (316 stitches per sq. inch, 49 per sq. cm.), French, Paris — Seasons and Elements (Summer) (set of four)
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1683

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.