Pair of Gold and Silver Couched Metal Thread Wall Panels, Country of Origin: Portugal, Circa Date: Early 18th Century
Exceptional pair of early 18th-century Portuguese wall panels, composed of shimmering silk grounds adorned with applied weft stripes of couched metal strips, forming a balanced silver scroll and palmette design against a radiant gold field. The symmetrical pattern exemplifies the refined Baroque taste for metallic ornamentation and dynamic surface play, characteristic of Iberian decorative arts of the period. Collectors interested in related works from the region should also explore our holdings of Spanish rugs and Iberian textiles.
Each panel is bordered by a gilt and silk scalloped galloon and lined with off-white linen, reflecting the sumptuous textile traditions associated with Portuguese court and ecclesiastical interiors. For broader context on the European tradition of decorative textile arts to which these panels belong, our holdings of European rugs are worth exploring.
Dimensions (each): approximately 22 x 51 inches (56 x 130 cm).
Condition: Minor to moderate tarnish and light wear; one panel with several pulled threads, the other with more extensive pulls and minor losses. Overall, very good preservation, with the metallic threads retaining their visual brilliance and structural integrity. Our guide to rug motifs and symbols offers additional insight into the palmette and scroll vocabulary that defines this composition.
Provenance: The Brooklyn Museum, New York.
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