DISCOVERART

England or Germany

Waistcoat Front Panel

1720-40
Cotton, plain weave foundation; embroidered with linen thread in buttonhole, herringbone, satin, overcast and feather stitches; French knots; geometric fillings, coral stitch openwork ground; buttons covered with tailor's buttonhole stitch
88.3 × 41.7 cm (34.8 × 16.4 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

White-on-white embroidery relies on variation in texture and translucence to reveal its pattern. Accordingly, the designer and embroiderer must choose their materials and stitches very carefully to achieve a legible and attractive design. Such so-called whitework may have originated in East Asia and been introduced to Europe through trade with the Indian subcontinent.

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