“Step into the opulence of 18th-century France with this exquisite silk panel. Its overflowing floral design and shimmering texture offer a glimpse into the luxurious textiles that defined Rococo elegance.”
This vibrant panel of upholstery silk, dating to 1765, brings a piece of 18th-century French luxury vividly to life. Imagine this textile adorning furniture in a grand Parisian salon, its intricate design catching the light. The pattern here is a riot of natural motifs, a hallmark of the Rococo style, but with a grandeur that hints at the burgeoning Neoclassical aesthetic. We see large, cascading floral arrangements, their petals and leaves rendered with remarkable detail, almost overflowing the frame. The silk itself, a testament to the era's advanced weaving techniques, would have shimmered with subtle changes in color and texture as viewers moved around it, a true marvel of craftsmanship. This particular piece, created by Philippe de la Salle, showcases the inventiveness and technical skill that made Lyon a center for textile production, influencing fashion and interior design across Europe.
- Artist
- Philippe de la Salle
- Date
- 1765
- Medium
- Silk
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- L. 21 1/2 x W. 16 inches (54.6 x 40.6 cm)
- Collection
- European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
- Culture
- French, Lyons
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1938
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the delicate shading on the flower petals, giving them a three-dimensional quality.
Look for the subtle variations in silk texture, creating depth within the pattern.
Notice the way the floral elements seem to burst from the center, creating a dynamic composition.
Identify the small, intricate details in the leaves and tendrils, indicating meticulous weaving.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Panel of upholstery silk — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Philippe de la Salle
1723–1804 · FrancePhilippe de la Salle was a master of 18th-century Lyon silk weaving, known for luxurious textiles like his 'Branche de Corail'.
Further Works by de la Salle
Design for a Lampas Silk with a Triumphal Chariot on a Cloud
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Chair back
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Upholstery passementerie
1750 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fragment of woven silk
1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Length of upholstery silk
1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Woven silk upholstery for a chair
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Catherine II of Russia
1766 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Border of woven silk
1770 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond de la Salle: works from the same years.
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Head of a Child
Jacques-Louis David · 1768 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Portrait of Madame Anne-Jeanne Cassanéa de Mondonville, née Boucon (1708-1780)
Maurice Quentin de Latour · 1752 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Portrait of a Lady
John Smart of Ipswich · 1773 · Yale Center for British Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Thomas Hurnard (1711/1712–1753), Mayor of Norwich (1752)
John Theodore Heins · 1754 · Norfolk Museums Collections
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Hot milk jug
Höchst Manufactory · 1770 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Medal cabinet
William Vile · 1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Pair of Side Chairs
Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1770 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1750s–1780s
John Jehu, L'Inghilterra
James Bretherton · 1772 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
A young girl walks towards the left with one infant on her shoulder and holding another small child's hand, while two children walk at right with a torch and a basket
Luca Cambiaso · 1775 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Saint John the Baptist with a lamb
Stefano Mulinari · 1766 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Landscape
William Wooller · 1763 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
the swing
Jean-Honoré Fragonard · 1767 · Wallace Collection
