Italian brocade of the 17th century.

Italian brocade of the 17th century.
"Mythological scene".
Hand-woven.
Period frame.
It presents a slight curvature in the frame.
Measurements: 48 x 68 cm; 63 x 81,5 cm (frame).

Italian brocade with the representation of several Greek gods and servants in a palace garden. It probably represents Olympus or the Elysian Fields, and the amphorae are filled with ambrosia. The silk fabric has been made with various wefts. The patterns of Italian brocades (broccato) were of eight-loop satin and are usually large to produce good effect when applied to all kinds of tapestries and furniture. The circumstance that distinguishes this weave is the half relief that presents the satin on the asargado of the bottom being the most used class of only two colors, one of the warp and another of the weft, although some few brocades are also manufactured with two and three colors of weft. The development of brocade manufacture in Byzantium (800-1200) favors its diffusion in Italy in the 14th and 15th centuries, mainly in Venice, Florence, Genoa and Milan. In Europe, it is considered from the beginning a valuable fabric both for being made of silk and for the complexity of its production; it is practically exclusive to royalty, nobility and clergy. During the 17th century, Italian brocade production began to decline due to competition from other countries for lighter and cheaper fabrics.