1285.
One of the Ends of a Stole, embroidered in beads; ground, dark blue; design, very likely the head of an apostle, in various coloured and gold beads. Venetian, late 12th century.
So like both in design, execution, and materials to the portion of an
orphrey, No. 8274, that it would seem this piece was not only worked
by the self-same hand, but formed a part of the self-same set of vestments.
The places, now bare, in the nimb and neck, were, no doubt, once filled
in with fine seed-pearls that have been wantonly picked out. The other
end of the same stole to which this belonged is the following.
1286.
Exactly like the foregoing; but if in its fellow piece seed-pearls are not to be seen, here they are left in part of the nimb, but especially over the left eye. Of the large piece with the head of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we have spoken at length, No. 8274.
1287.
Silk and Cotton Damask; ground, light yellow silk; design, a reticulation of vine-branches bearing grapes and leaves, and enclosing butterflies, an armorial shield having a royal crown over it, all in light purple cotton. Sicilian, early 14th century. 17-1/2 inches by 15-1/2 inches.
The design in all its elements is so like many other specimens wrought
by the looms of Palermo at the period, that we are warranted to presume
it came from that great mart of silken stuffs during the middle ages. So
thin in its texture, it must have been meant for the lining of a heavier
material. Père Martin has figured, in his very valuable "Mélanges
d'Archéologie," t. iv. plate xxii, a piece of silk, now in the Museum of
