Calder Silk Scarf

Description from Permanent Collection

For our collaboration with the Calder Foundation, we selected the luxury Italian textile house, Gentili Mosconi, to bring Alexander Calder’s ink ‘cartoon’ from 1949 to life in wearable form. This supple, but substantial silk twill scarf has a bit of body to it, without sacrificing the slightest bit of drape. An easy accessory to add to any outfit, this beautiful piece is sure to attract attention for its dazzling pattern of fanciful forms. The hem is hand-rolled and sewn for an opulent finish.

While Calder (1898–1976) is best-known as a sculptor, and innovator of the ‘mobile,’ he made a diverse range of paintings and drawings and, very occasionally, created designs for textiles. This particular untitled ‘cartoon’ was designed in 1949 for production as a silk scarf that was, however, never realized during the artist’s lifetime. This collaboration has afforded Permanent Collection the opportunity to bring Calder’s original vision to fruition.

Located in the small town of Casnate con Bernate near Como, Gentili Mosconi specializes in nuanced, highly faithful textile printing and refined, luxury silks.