Originally exhibited at the 1900 Paris World's Fair. Silk featuring a trompe l'oeil motif with intricately detailed lace and roses. Lyon, Poncet Pere & Fils, 1900.Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Silk with plane tree leaf motif (modeled after a design by Handmann), J. Béraud & Cie., Lyon. Originally exhibited at the 1889 Paris World's Fair. Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Silk Satin Brocade, Lyon or Italy, second quarter of the 18th century.

Silk velvet on a silk taffeta ground, designed by Arpin and produced by Poncet & Berard. The finely detailed lace suggests the importance of lace in the clothing industry at the end of the 19th c. This piece was very possibly made to order for Queen Victoria. Originally exhibited at the 1851 Word's Fair in London. Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Pink Irises. This magnificent silk was originally exhibited at the 1889 Paris World's Fair. Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Swallows. One of the masterpieces of the 1894 World's Fair. Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Silk and silver embroidered dress created for a statue of the virgin. Italy, first half 18th c. Interestingly there are no religious symbols in the motif. However, flowers were very much in style as it was at this time that the first botanical gardens were created and numerous botanical catalogs were published.

Lyon silk with an elegant motif of ostrich feathers. Produced by Shulz Gourdon & Cie., 8-10 rue du Griffon, Lyon. Grand prize at the 1889 Paris World's Fair. Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Showcase with silk fabric samples that were used mostly in 18th c. dressmaking.

The 18th century clothing rooms at the Museum were recently redesigned and come to life in the vibrant colors of the period.

Showcase with 18th century men's and women's garments.

Typical sample book of a Lyon silk manufacturer. At the time women chose their dress fabric from such a catalog.

An absolute masterpiece in the art of clothing fabrication. This fabric was used by the renowned designer Worth for a ball gown that is in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

Fancy Dutch Tulips, Gourd, 1889. Originally exhibited at the Paris World's Fair, 1889. Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Island Birds, Schulz et Béraud 1862. One of the most spectacular models originally exhibited at the 1862 London World's Fair. Currently on exhibit in "Lyon Silk at the 19th c. World Fairs" until March 20, 2011.

Island Birds, Schulz et Béraud 1862. Detail. What is remarkable about many of these late 19th c. silk fabrics, in addition to their beauty, is the illusion of three dimensions.