Curtain of "Sultan" textile
The author of the iconic and influential 19th-century study of historic ornament and pattern, “The Grammar of Ornament,” Owen Jones was a design innovator and theorist with a keen interest in repeating pattern, among other things. In this particular fabric, Jones displayed his total command of the possibilities of the jacquard-controlled loom, taking advantage of the loom capability to create multiple textural effects within a tight composition. The effective use of just 4 colors and the efficient distribution of interior patterns gives “Sultan” the appearance of being highly textural. “Sultan” also illustrates one of Jones color theory propositions, in which he suggests that ornament and backgrounds of strong colors should be separated by an outline of a lighter color to help the eye read the two elements separately. In this case, the palmette and rosette elements are outlined in solid yellow-gold to separate these patterned foliate designs from the background design of colored dashes.
Artwork Details
- Title: Curtain of "Sultan" textile
- Designer: Owen Jones (British, London 1809–1874 London)
- Date: 1870–74
- Culture: British
- Medium: Jacquard woven silk, silk passementerie
- Dimensions: Overall: 114 3/4 × 63 5/8 in. (291.5 × 161.6 cm)
- Classification: Textiles-Woven
- Credit Line: Purchase, John and Patricia Nguyen Foundation Gift, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.794
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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