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: --- 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: --- CREATORS --- 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: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS title: 2000 Years of Silk Weaving opening date: 1944-01-09T05:00:00 2000 Years of Silk Weaving. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (March 18-April 16, 1944). title: Venice: Silk and Lace opening date: 1985-02-27T05:00:00 Venice: Silk and Lace. 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 Draped in Splendor: Renaissance Textiles and the Church. 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 Renaissance Textiles (Textile Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 14, 2012-December 10, 2013). --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS * Gallery 214 installation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (April 1994). --- PROVENANCE James Parmelee date: footnotes: citations: --- 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. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- 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