"Pile-on-pile velvet
Italy, Venice, late 16th or early 17th century
Acquired in Italy

The pattern, in red on red, comprises large crowns, lobed foliate forms, and knots. The pattern unit measures about 50 x 15 cm.

The velvet is woven with two heights of lustrous red pile, on a ground weave derived from tabby. There is a striped green selvage at one edge and a golden yellow end-band at the bottom."

European Textiles in the Keir Collection 400BC to 1800AD, Monique King and Donald King, Faber and Faber, London, 1990