Cover

Square cover of silk brocade woven with metal-wrapped thread. Field patterned with a grid of small ogival cartouches framing floral medallions. Silver gilt-wrapped yellow threads form a golden ground; most of the metal has worn off. White details are outlined with black, and red, pink, and blue details are outlined with white. Silk brocades were a specialty of Kashan and Isfahan in Iran (Persia) dating back to at least the seventeenth century. Used primarily for luxury garments, they were often repurposed into decorative covers. This cover has been backed with an undyed cloth and faced with red satin. Related objects in the Penn Museum: A581, A583, A585, A587, A588, A590, A591, A592. Square with a central design of repeating flowers in white, pink, brown and orange on a yellow background. Beige backing with a red border.