Rococo furnishing textile, Italy

Unknown (person)

c 1730

Textile length, printed and painted silk, maker unknown, Italy, c. 1730

Powerhouse

A red silk textile features a repeating pattern of exotic birds, flowers, and architectural elements in shades of pink, grey, and yellow. The design is intricate and detailed, with a sense of movement and whimsy. A length of silk, nearly five metres long, with both selvedges preserved. The upper end is faced with a two centimeter wide beige silk ribbon and has been stamped on the underside, over this facing, in the centre and on each side. The fabric is a deep crimson red, printed and painted with a repeat chinoiserie design 88 centimeters in length. The areas of solid colour were applied using wooden blocks, and the black outline and accents of colour then handpainted on. Extensive use is made of white, with soft blue-green and accents of blue, green, pink, orange, ochre and yellow. Overprinting the deep red with lighter shades gives subtle