Italian, Rome
Canopy and Dossal with Appliqué Monograph of Francesco Cenci, about 1560-1570
Cut silk velvet with applied silk and metal tabby, silk and metal cords, 38.1 x 22.9 cm (15 x 9 in.)
This Italian canopy and dossal is made of gold, red and burgundy cut velvet with applied silk. The top piece features ends made of silk and metal cords. It is an ornamental cloth. The large dossal is made of a large vertical rectangular piece of velvet with a repeating gold on burgundy motif. The repeating motif has intertwined strips and incorporates the letters C and F. . This motif borders the piece and two lines of the motif are also featured across the lower mid-section of the banner. This border frames a rectangular section in the upper center that is red on gold in repeating patterns that contain scrolls and vegetal motifs. At the top is a large canopy that curves outward and is decorated with the border motif. There is a shield at the center that displays four red balls and one blue ball at the top. There is a dark fringe hanging at the bottom.
Long Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.