Piece

Chinese, for French market

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 533

The wealthy throughout Europe adored Chinese silks, which were exported in massive numbers by the Spanish, the Portuguese and the British. Finely woven, and delicately painted by hand with exquisite floral motifs, designed to resonate with European taste, this type of patterning was described as “sprigged” in trade records. Glossy taffetas like this were used in Europe as dress fabric and as wall hangings.

Piece, Silk taffeta, Chinese, for French market

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