"Alhambra" textile panel with double border c. 1865

This textile panel called "Alhambra" was created by Mathevon et Bouvard, using a complex weaving process. Look closely, and you will notice it is made from silk, cotton, and metal thread. The combination of materials results in a shimmering surface, as the metallic threads catch the light, and the colors—greens, pinks, blues—are vibrant against the deep blue ground. The design evokes the famous Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain, known for its intricate geometric patterns and lush gardens. To replicate these forms in textile, the makers likely used a Jacquard loom, a technology that automated complex weaving patterns. This piece speaks to the global trade and cultural exchange of the time, where the taste for exotic designs was met by the industrial capacity to produce them. Appreciate the technical skill and labor involved in creating such an elaborate textile, and consider how it bridges the gap between fine art, craft, and industrial production.