Since the Renaissance, the weaving of velvet has been one of the most expensive and complex textile techniques. These sumptuous, multi-dimensional silks were manufactured for both furnishing and dress purposes. One of the most popular types of velvet in the early 17th century, as seen here, is ciselé, a luxurious combination of uncut looped pile and tufted cut pile, often on a voided satin surface. Here, a distinctive lattice pattern formed by serrated leaves encloses palmettes with plush centers. The differing textures and heights of the pile creates a luminous textile that changes with the quality of light and with movement.