Greece, Dodecanese Islands, Patmos

The designation Greece, Dodecanese Islands, Patmos refers to a distinct regional center of textile production active throughout the 17th century (1601-1700). While the identity of specific workshops or individual embroiderers remains undocumented, the collective output represents a strong tradition of high-quality decorative and functional applied arts originating from the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea.

The surviving corpus of work primarily consists of large domestic textiles intended for household use. Five examples of these intricate textiles are represented in museum collections, confirming the verifiable importance of this regional output. These pieces are all hangings designed for bedsteads, including the works Curtain (For a Bed) and Panels (For a Bed Curtain). Fractional pieces further detailing the construction and style are also documented, specifically Panel (For a Bed Curtain) and two examples titled Panel (Half of a Bed Curtain).

All five documented textiles are held today in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. These museum-quality examples provide key documentation of the elaborate embroidery techniques and design patterns characteristic of Greece, Dodecanese Islands, Patmos prints from the period. For research purposes, reproductions of these fragile surviving pieces are often made available as downloadable artwork, ensuring scholarly access to these historical fabrics.