Tapestry ‘Mare‘, 20th c.

Tapestry ‘Mare’, 1st half 20th century, I-Taranto. I-Taranto, Istituto tecnico Maria-Pia (MS Inventory 37).

Dark yellow velvety background, possibly moiré, embroidered with sea silk and gold thread, ca 2 x 1 m.

This tapestry shows a seabed and various sea creatures. It is the work of the students of the R.S. Femminile in Taranto. It was exhibited at the Mostra Internazionale di Economia Domestica in Rome on 21 December 1927 – su disegni di propria creazione, with their own design, as it is written on the stand.

Today it hangs in the entrance hall of the Istituto tecnico Maria-Pia in Taranto. There is also a bust of the school founder Filomena Martellotta, who played an important role in the history of sea silk in Taranto in the first half of the 20th century. More about it in Historical Aspects → Modern Times → 20th century → Taranto.