id:			119763
accession number:	1940.596
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1940.596
updated:		2023-01-10 21:23:30.003000

Silk Velvet with Gold in Pomegranate Pattern, 1450–1500. Italy, possibly Florence, 15th century. Silk, gold thread; velvet: cut pile in two heights, uncut pile loops, gold-thread loops; overall: 118.7 x 60.6 cm (46 3/4 x 23 7/8 in.); mounted: 130.8 x 71.1 cm (51 1/2 x 28 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of James Parmelee 1940.596

title:				Silk Velvet with Gold in Pomegranate Pattern
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			1450–1500
creation date earliest:		1450
creation date latest:		1500
current location:		
creditline:			Bequest of James Parmelee
copyright:			

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culture:	Italy, possibly Florence, 15th century
technique:	silk, gold thread; velvet: cut pile in two heights, uncut pile loops, gold-thread loops
department:	Textiles
collection:	Textiles
type:		Velvet
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Overall: 118.7 x 60.6 cm (46 3/4 x 23 7/8 in.); Mounted: 130.8 x 71.1 cm (51 1/2 x 28 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		2000 Years of Silk Weaving
	opening date:   1944-01-09T05:00:00
	<i>2000 Years of Silk Weaving</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (March 18-April 16, 1944).

	title:		Venice: Silk and Lace
	opening date:   1985-02-27T05:00:00
	<i>Venice: Silk and Lace</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 27-August 11, 1985).

	title:		Draped in Splendor: Renaissance Textiles and the Church
	opening date:   2003-09-07T00:00:00
	<i>Draped in Splendor: Renaissance Textiles and the Church</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 7, 2003-September 26, 2004).

	title:		Renaissance Textiles (Textile Rotation) - Gallery 115
	opening date:   2012-11-14T05:00:00
	<i>Renaissance Textiles (Textile Rotation) - Gallery 115</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 14, 2012-December 10, 2013).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

* Gallery 214 installation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (April 1994).

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PROVENANCE

	James Parmelee
	date: 
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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fun fact:


digital description:


wall description:
Luxurious silk velvets with expensive gold thread were symbols of wealth and power. The finest velvets during the 1400s have two, or even three, heights of lush projecting pile. This fashionably large pomegranate pattern features exorbitant gold-thread loops enriching the lower level and a plain higher level. The curved upper and lower contours suggest this was the back of a sleeveless ecclesiastical vestment known as a chasuble. The striped green and ivory selvage was the equivalent of a label, required by law. It identified the fiber content, its quality, and quantity, which determined the price. Selling prices reflected the costs of the raw materials—gold thread, silk, and dyestuffs. Compensation for artisans was generally minimal.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1940.596/1940.596_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1940.596/1940.596_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1940.596/1940.596_full.tif