Piece 1880s

This piece was created by Charles Frederick Worth, sometime in the late 19th century, from patterned silk. What we see here is only a fragment; it may have been a sample, or a piece cut from a larger garment. Even in this small piece, the opulence of Worth's designs shines through. The silk shimmers, catching the light and showing off the floral pattern. Consider the labor involved in producing such an object: from the silkworms spinning the threads, to the weavers creating the fabric, to the skilled hands who dyed and printed the design. These were all highly specialized trades, deeply embedded in the economic landscape of the time. Worth was one of the first designers to brand himself, turning his atelier into a must-visit destination for the European aristocracy. His creations epitomize the height of luxury, a testament to the artistry of textiles and the complex social systems that brought them into being. This fragment reminds us that even the smallest of objects can tell big stories about labor, class, and consumption.