I couldn’t resist curating a small selection of textiles available at the Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan, which I’ve studying for an assignment on Renaissance self-portraits by women artists. There’s no link between the subject and these exquisite textile, except my love for them both.
The Altar Frontal with Doves is from a Milanese workshop dated approximately last quarter of the 15th century, or is from Indian workshop perhaps early 17th century.
The Large Leaf verdure Tapestry dates from the second half of the 16th century, from Flanders. It is 300 x320 cm, so could have filled a whole wall.
Part of a Chasuble, the oddly shaped piece of cloth, comes from Italy or Spain in the second quarter of the 16th century. A chasuble is “a sleeveless outer vestment worn by a Catholic or High Anglican priest when celebrating Mass, typically having a simple hole for the head.” (Wiki)
Gloves 1630-1650 originate in England or Flanders and feature silk, leather, pearls and silver embroidery.
Baby’s Bonnet probably comes from Central Europe in first quarter of the 19th century, it features mental thread on silk.
I love looking an textiles, especially when they are so rich with history. The baby wearing this bonnet would have been quite wealthy, and may have donned it only for special occasions.
