{"title":"Marianna Elmo: Masterpieces of 18th-Century Silkwork Pictures","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarianna Elmo\u003c\/strong\u003e is celebrated as one of the most important exponents of \u003cstrong\u003e18th-century silkwork pictures\u003c\/strong\u003e, known in Italy as \u003cem\u003ebroderie à colle\u003c\/em\u003e. These exquisite works, blending textile artistry with painterly composition, occupy a unique place in European decorative arts. Elmo’s creations exemplify the refinement, patience, and inventiveness that characterised the silkwork tradition at its height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Art of \u003cem\u003eBroderie à Colle\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilkwork pictures — \u003cem\u003ebroderie à colle\u003c\/em\u003e — involved the delicate layering of cut and glued silk to create richly coloured, shimmering designs. Unlike traditional embroidery, which relied on stitched thread, this technique used silk fragments applied like brushstrokes, giving images a painterly depth and a jewel-like surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubjects often included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReligious scenes\u003c\/strong\u003e and devotional imagery\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassical and allegorical themes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFloral compositions and decorative motifs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe results were both \u003cstrong\u003epictorial and tactile\u003c\/strong\u003e, bridging fine art and textile craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMarianna Elmo’s Contribution\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElmo’s works stand out for their exceptional \u003cstrong\u003eprecision, colour harmony, and narrative power\u003c\/strong\u003e. Her silkwork pictures reflect the 18th-century fascination with \u003cstrong\u003eluxury materials and artisanal virtuosity\u003c\/strong\u003e, often rivaling painting in their richness and detail. Each piece required meticulous planning and execution, and her ability to achieve lifelike shading and expression through silk fragments distinguished her from her contemporaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollecting and Legacy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, works by \u003cstrong\u003eMarianna Elmo\u003c\/strong\u003e are highly prized for their rarity and artistry. As fragile survivals of a once-celebrated but now little-practiced technique, they embody both the ingenuity of 18th-century decorative arts and the enduring appeal of silk as a medium of luxury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eNwtiques\u003c\/strong\u003e, we are proud to present examples of Marianna Elmo’s \u003cstrong\u003esilkwork pictures\u003c\/strong\u003e, offering collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to acquire works that represent the pinnacle of \u003cstrong\u003e18th-century textile artistry\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"important-rare-set-of-nine-applique-silk-panels-by-marianna-elmo","title":"Important Rare Set of Nine Appliqué Silk Panels by Marianna Elmo","description":"\u003cp\u003eImportant and rare set of nine exquisite New Testament silk thread appliqué panels known as Broderies à fils collés. Each panel depicts a distinct biblical scene, rendered with remarkable precision and delicacy. Signed Marianna Elmo.\u003cbr\u003eItaly, Lecce, circa 1750\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrame H: 95 cms (37.5 ins)\u003cbr\u003eFrame W: 75 cms (30 ins)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe images are created using the technique known as broderie à fils collés, where thin polychrome silk threads and metal threads are meticulously applied side by side onto a virgin beeswax-coated cardboard base. The faces and limbs of the figures are crafted from cut satin shapes, further painted with tempera or watercolor to achieve lifelike detail. The panels contain many figures embroidered and painted with remarkable skill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– 8 panels: 26 x 20 cm each\u003cbr\u003e– Centre panel: 24 x 18 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcquired from Sotheby’s, London, in the 1960s by the owner’s father; reframed in Paris by Christian de Beaumont.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComparable Works\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– The Flight into Egypt (1752, Museum of San Martino, Naples)\u003cbr\u003e– Casket reliquary of St. Mary of Banzi (1754, Banzi, Province of Potenza)\u003cbr\u003e– A pair of Italian appliqué metal-thread and silk thread and painted silk portraits, depicting Charles VII, King of Naples and Sicily, and his wife Maria Amalia of Saxony, signed Marianna Elmo, Lecce mid-18th century (Sotheby’s London, Lot 32, 6 July 2010, Sold for £15,000).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExhibitions and Renewed Interest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarianna Elmo’s work gained renewed attention through the 2003-2004 exhibition Marianna Elmo and The Art of Embroidery in Southern Italy in the First Half of the Eighteenth Century at the Pinacoteca Provinciale di Bari. This exhibition, curated by Clara Gelao, highlighted the significance of her contributions to the art of embroidery. Further recent recognition came with the 2007-2008 exhibition L’Arte delle Donne, dal Rinascimento al Surrealismo (The Art of Women, from the Renaissance to Surrealism) at the Palazzo Reale Royal Palace in Milan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51225785860433,"sku":"96140","price":12500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/0W2A4535.jpg?v=1749158966"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/collections\/0W2A4537.jpg?v=1757573778","url":"https:\/\/nwtiques.com\/collections\/marianna-elmo.oembed","provider":"Nicholas Wells Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}