1733-1735

Woven Silk

This fragment was woven with chenille brocading wefts, giving the plants and flowers a rich, velvetlike appearance. The design depicted includes varieties of succulent plants. The three-dimensional effect is achieved through the use of the points rentrés technique and the linked progression of colors from dark to light. Chenille was extremely expensive and comparable in price to silver and gold metal threads. Such richly brocaded silks were used primarily for church vestments.