Empire wall hanging 1805 - 1815

This Empire wall hanging was woven by Bissardon and Bony, Cie, with silk and metallic thread. The shimmering surface and complex patterning is made with the drawloom, a technology that made possible highly elaborate textiles, and it was among the most sophisticated industrial machines of its day. In the late 18th and early 19th century, textile production became highly centralized and reliant on division of labor. The weavers themselves became cogs in a vast mercantile system. The shimmering effects of the textile are due to the qualities of the silk yarn itself, and the reflective metallic threads. The tight weave holds the design together, but also displays the overall suppleness of the textile, as it falls in vertical folds. Notice that the baskets of flowers have an almost three-dimensional presence, achieved only through immense labor and expertise. The labor that went into this object is part of its meaning and is meant to be appreciated by its beholder. By giving careful attention to the processes and context, we can better appreciate the aesthetic achievement of this work.