Artwork Page for Silk hanging with embroidered tree of life

Details / Information for Silk hanging with embroidered tree of life

Silk hanging with embroidered tree of life

1800s

Turkey, Ottoman period

Medium
Silk: plain weave; embroidery, chain stitch
Measurements
Average: 228.6 x 172.7 cm (90 x 68 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1358
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This resplendent tree of life embroidery integrates Turkish traditions with new European styles that became increasingly fashionable during the mid-18th century. The fanciful tree projects lavish bouquets of Turkish flowers while the tree trunk is wrapped with an elaborate European-style bow, as are the meandering vines in the floral border.

A professional draftsman drew the pattern with ink on the radiant yellow silk taffeta embroidered with at least 12 vibrant colors in chain stitch. It was most likely made in a professional workshop as a hanging for special occasions, a conspicuous symbol of beauty and wealth.
A vertically long yellow silk textile depicts an embroidered skinny dark brown tree with winding branches sprouting pink and blue flowers and long, green leaves. These cover the entirety of the fabric except for the rectangular border, where the repeated pink flowers are interspersed with smaller pink and blue ones and brown and green vines with blue and pink bows. The bows imitate the larger one tied around the tree trunk, with double blue ears, a pink knot in the middle, and speckled with white dots like the tree.

Silk hanging with embroidered tree of life

1800s

Turkey, Ottoman period

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork