Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Velvet with Pomegranate Design
Silk velvets were prized luxury fabrics in the Renaissance. Garments made from them were worn by the wealthy not only in Venice—as seen in the Abduction of Helen series— but throughout Europe. Venice and turkey were among the most important sources for these fabrics and influences in developing techniques for introducing complex patterns and as well gold thread to add luster were reciprocal. Dyes also varied as to their expense and ease of use; the crimson dye detected here was among the most expensive. The focal motif of the repeating pattern was generally a vegetal form, here similar to a pomegranate (modern descriptive term), thistle, or pine cone. These patterns appear to have been most popular in the years 1420 to 1550.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Charles Dikran Kelekian, New York; given to the Walters Art Museum, 1981.
Geographies
Italy, Florence (Place of Origin)
Measurements
L: 47 7/16 × W: 20 1/16 in. (120.5 × 51 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Kelekian, 1981
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
83.742