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Louis XV-style chair back: The Chinese Astronomer Medallion

Designed by: Jean-Baptiste Pillement (French, 1728–1808)
French
about 1775
Object Place: Lyon, France

Medium/Technique Silk brocade
Dimensions Overall: 66 x 63.5 cm (26 x 25 in.)
Credit Line Income of Seth K. Sweetser Fund
Accession Number51.253
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsTextiles

DescriptionWhite satin ground with central design of man in Chinese costume -- in setting of flowers and landscape -- peering through telescope; wide frame of rose wreath; design brocaded with polychrome silks; several worn places in upper portion.
Astronomer and floral setting brocaded with polychrome silk thread on ivory silk satin ground; flower garland border brocaded with pink and green silk threads on supplementary ivory silk threads bound in a twill pattern.
ProvenanceMadame Niclausse (dealer), Paris; sold by Mme. Niclausse to Adolph Loewi, Los Angeles; 1951, sold by Loewi to the MFA for $200. (Accession Date: February 8, 1951)