1030.
Table-cover of linen, embroidered in white thread, with flowers, vases, trophies, and monograms. French, 18th century. 4 feet 4 inches by 3 feet 10 inches.
This beautifully-executed piece of needlework is richly deserving a
notice from those who admire well-finished stitchery, which is here seen
to advantage. In the centre is a basket with wide-spreading flowers,
upon each side of which is a military trophy consisting of cannon-balls,
kettle-drums, other drums, knights' tilting-lances, halberts, swords,
cannon, trumpets, all gracefully heaped together and upholding a
herald's tabard blazoned with a leopard rampant, by the side of which,
and drooping above, are two flags, one showing the three fleurs-de-lis of
France, and the other with a charge that is indistinct; and the whole is
surmounted by a full-faced barred helmet wreathed with a ducal coronet,
out of which arises a plume of ostrich feathers; on the other sides are
two elegantly-shaped vases full of flowers. At each of the four corners
of this inner square is the monogram A. M. V. P. T. between boughs,
and surmounted by a ducal coronet; and at every corner of the border
below is a flaming heart pierced by two arrows, while all about are
eagles with wings displayed and heads regardant, seemingly heraldic.
1031.
Piece of Silk Brocade; ground, white; pattern, large red flowers seeded yellow, and foliage mostly light green. Lyons, 18th century. 2 feet 10 inches by 1 foot 9 inches.
A specimen of one of those large showy flowered tissues in such
favour all over Europe during the last century, as well as in the
earlier portion of the present one, for church use. The example before
us, in all probability, served as a bishop's lap-cloth at solemn high mass;
for which rite, see "The Church of our Fathers," i. 409.
