Yellow lampas gown fragment

Status

Not on view

Date1718-1730

Geography Possibly made - England

Medium/TechniqueSilk, Lampas

DimensionsOverall: 4 13/16 in. × 4 7/8 in. (12.22 cm × 12.38 cm)

Credit LineMount Vernon Collection

Object numberW-499/C

DescriptionThis yellow silk lampas fragment is part of a point repeat design (a reverse repeat, mirrored across the central axis), containing a central bouquet motif with tulips, berries, pineapples, and pomegranates in a vase. The central motif is flanked by serpentine vines featuring berries and grape leafs. Various geometric diaper patterns are used to fill the floral elements. Based on comparison with other fragments of this fabric which contain a selvedge, the original width of the fabric was approximately 20.5 -21". The vertical repeat of the design is approximately 15.5".

The fragment shows a piece of the central motif.

The fabric is plain woven with supplementary warps and thicker wefts, causing a very slight ribbing. The warp floats are Z-spun, and the weft floats are unspun and show a 4/1 satin stitch. The reverse of the fabric shows only plain weave, with evidence of the weft design visible only by the binding points of the satin stitch.

The fragment has two circles cut from the top edge that are similar in size to some pin cushions in the MVLA collection (1 3/8" D). It also shows the same red-brown stain evident on several of fragments of the same fabric.

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