Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving Part 16

The lower border pattern is a band of weaving about two inches in width, Saracenic work. It is woven in coloured silks and linen thread upon the actual warp threads of the garment that it decorates. The weft threads were probably omitted for the s.p.a.ce of one and a half inches when the fabric was being made in order that some ornamentation might be put in, in this way. Some of the weft threads have perished, leaving the warp exposed to sight; this enables the student to understand better the manner in which it was carried out.

PLATE XV.--_An Example of a Tapestry Field strewn with Flowers._--This kind of decoration is characteristic of many tapestry grounds, for the style is particularly suited to the method of work, and very happy in result. The detail shown in this plate is taken from a piece of late XVIth century Flemish work; it carries on, however, a much earlier tradition. The ground is of a dark blue colour, and the flowers varied as in nature.

PLATE XVI.--_A Tapestry Bag, woven in coloured silk and gold thread by the Author._--The ground is woven with black silk, decorated with gold at the top and base. The centre panel is carried out in brightly coloured silks and gold thread. The various compartments are filled with representations of flowers, birds, and fishes, upon an alternating purple and blue background. The dividing lines are of gold thread.

Size of bag, ten inches by six.

THE COLLOTYPE PLATES

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate I.--A detail from a XIVth Century English Cope.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate II.--Two Heads from a XIVth Century English Cope preserved at Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate III.--A small portion of a Quilted Coverlet, probably of Sicilian work. Date about 1400.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate IV.--A portion of an Altar Cloth Band, embroidered in coloured silk threads upon a white linen ground.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate V.--A portion of a late XVth Century Orphrey, embroidered with the arms of Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate VI.--A detail of Foliage taken from a late XVIth Century Embroidered Picture, representing the story of Daphne.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate VII.--An Embroidered XVIIth or XVIIIth Century Wool-work Curtain.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate VIII.--A portion of a large XVIIth Century Linen Hanging, embroidered with coloured wools.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate IX.--Cutwork Lettering taken from a XVIIth Century English Sampler.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate X.--An Embroidered Sampler.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate XI.--An example of Persian Embroidery.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate XII.--A detail from an Embroidered Tablecloth.

Designed and executed by Mrs. W. R. Lethaby.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate XIII.--An Embroidered Altar Frontal, executed by Miss May Morris, designed by Mr. Philip Webb.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate XIV.--Two pieces of Ancient Weaving taken from Tombs in Egypt.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate XV.--An example of a Tapestry Field strewn with Flowers.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate XVI.--A Tapestry Bag, woven in coloured silk and gold thread by the Author.]