Dorothy bag base 1751 - 1761

This is a "Dorothy bag base," a decorative textile object created by Johann Christoph Eckart, a German artist, in 1751-1761. The piece is composed of a striped textile base with two patterned ribbon bows. The base sits atop a silver-plated foundation. The artwork is currently part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and measures 10 x 7 1/2 inches. This piece is a fine example of 18th century decorative arts, combining a simple textile structure with detailed embellishments.