Mae Festa 50 Years of Collecting Textiles - Peter Pap Oriental Rugs

EUROPE – France
“Bizarre” Silk Fragment
Early 18 th Century
Lyon
Rare cranberry red “Bizarre” silk brocade
on damask ground with silver metallic
thread in stylized flower shape with
curvilinear, asymmetrical leaf scrolls of
different sizes throughout.
42 x 67 cm 16½ x 26½ in
“Bizarre” silks were often utilized for ecclesiastic
garments and widely used in Denmark and Sweden.
Although these exotic textiles were produced in three
major European weaving centers during the first half
of the 18 th century, there is still some discussion about
their original antecedents. It is clear that Eastern
influences are present; and that the designs resonate
with our modern sensibilities formed by such movements
as Arts Nouveau beginning around 1900.
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