Italian Brocatelle in Linen, Silk and Metal Silver Thread with Pomegranate Design

Italian, Florentine, first half of the sixteenth century, brocatelle with a design of arabesques, entwining stems and pomegranate ornament woven in silver metal thread and silk on a brilliant yellow silk ground. Originally an imitation of Italian tooled leather. Brocatelle is considered to be a variant on traditional damask, with patterns that stand out in high relief. Edged with a French 19th century galon, backed with an 18th century lemon yellow French silk bourette a silk woven from the rough outer parts of a silkworm cocoon.

Condition: Formed from two lengths and the silver metal threads have patina down to a gunmetal black, typical since this is real silver that’s tarnished. Two small areas of wear missing metal thread, typical of something nearly 500 years old.