Lujo textil en la corte novohispana

Abstract

This paper analyses the use of rich fabrics in the court of New Spain. It takes as its starting point the need on the part of Spain’s rulers to distinguish themselves from the rest of the population by wearing rich fabrics. The paper goes on to study the interior decoration of the Casas Reales, (also known as the Palacio Real or Palacio Virreinal), using the surviving literature and documentation from the 17th and 18th centuries as a source. It concludes by briefly discussing the use of rich fabrics at royal ceremonies and their significance in the ceremonial context, such as in the swearing of the coronation oath.