This fabric is a brocaded silk satin, and was intended for ladies' gowns. The technique of brocading allowed different colours to be introduced into the pattern of a fabric in specific, sometimes very small areas. It was a more laborious process for the weaver than using patterning wefts running from selvedge to selvedge, but the resulting effect could be much more varied and lively.
The flowers depicted on this silk are well drawn, and include dodecatheon meadia, from the primrose family, sometimes known as the American Cowslip.