Huisjas van bedrukte zijde, gewatteerd en gevoerd met rode zijde c. 1690 - 1700

This quilted silk robe, made by an anonymous maker, is a testament to the global exchange of materials and skills. The repeating geometric pattern on the outer layer of the robe was achieved through textile printing. The silk threads would have been carefully woven, then dyed, and finally assembled with a red silk lining. Imagine the number of steps, and the many hands involved, from the silkworm to the finished garment. The quilting adds warmth and structure, transforming flat fabric into three-dimensional form. The choice of silk speaks to luxury and trade. Silk production was, and remains, a labor-intensive industry. Yet, the relative simplicity of the robe's design and construction suggests it was made for everyday use within the home. Consider the relationship between the intimacy of the garment's function, and the global networks of labor and consumption that made its creation possible. This "house coat" challenges any strict separation of art, craft, and the everyday.