Art Institute of Chicago

Skirt from a Court Gown

France

Date

1805-15

Medium

Silk, satin weave; embroidered with gold metal-wrapped over a silk fibre core, gold frisé, silk, gold metal formed ornaments, "purl," spangles, gold metal strips; couching over paper core and silk padding, in pattern and backstitch; trimmed with bobbin lace made of gold metal strip wound around a silk fibre core

Culture

France

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

While early 19th century fashion tended to lighter fabrics and less decoration than that of the previous century, dress for formal occasions such as appearances at court continued to be subject to strict rules, as exemplified by this garment. The trio of lilies at the center of the skirt are a symbol of French royalty. The textures of the different metal threads applied to the shining satin fabric each reflect light slightly differently.

The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.