1338.
An Apparel to an Alb; ground, strong linen; design, within twining boughs bearing flowers and leaves, a dove and a lamb, all in various-coloured silks and outlined in narrow strips of leather. Spanish, early 15th century. 13 inches square.
That the last liturgic use of this piece was as an apparel to an alb
there can be little doubt, though, in all likelihood, it may have been cut
off a larger piece of needlework wrought for the front border of an
altar-cloth. The outline in leather is rather singular; though now
black, it was once gilt, like those strips we see cut into very narrow
shreds, and worked up, instead of gold thread, into silken stuffs from the
looms of Almeria or Granada, specimens of which are in this collection.
As an art-production of the needle, this is but a poor one.
1339.
Raised Gold Brocaded Velvet; ground, green silk; design, within an oval in crimson raised velvet of a floriated pattern, dotted with flowers and grapes in white, a large trefoil on raised crimson velvet, bearing inside an artichoke in green and gold, springing from a white flower. Italian, 16th century, 11-3/4 inches by 8 inches.
This tasteful and pleasing design is wrought in rich materials; and
large state-chairs are yet to be seen in the palaces of Rome covered with
such beautiful and costly velvets.
1340.
Silk and Gold Damask; ground, blue silk; design, ogee arches, over the finial of each a large conventional flower, and within and without the arches a slip of the mulberry-leaf and fruit, all in bright gold. Lucca, 16th century. 3 feet 5 inches by 2 feet 4 inches.
