of vine-leaves shutting in a blue corn-flower, and at each side, in white, a word in imitated Arabic; excepting the blue centaurea and two white flowers in the wreath, all the rest is in light green. Sicilian, 14th century. 22 inches by 10-3/4 inches.
This well-varied pattern is nicely drawn, and shows the traditions
of the Saracenic workmen who once flourished at Palermo.
1309.
Embroidery of Thread upon Linen; design, in raised stitchery, the hunting of the unicorn. German, late 14th century. 26-1/2 inches by 13-1/2 inches.
This fine piece of needlework shows us a forest where a groom is
holding three horses, on two of which the high-peaked saddles are well
given; running towards him are two hunting dogs, collared. In the
midst of the wood sits a virgin with her long hair falling down her back,
and on her lap an unicorn is resting his fore-feet; behind this group is
coming a man with a stick upon his shoulder, from which hangs, by its
coupled hind-legs, a dead hare. Not only the lady, but the men wear
shoes with remarkably long toes, and the gracefulness with which the
foliage is everywhere twined speaks of the period as marked in the
architectural decoration of the period here in England. In another
number (8618) the same subject is noticed as significative of the
Incarnation, and fully explained. No doubt, like the other piece of
fine Rhenish needlework, this also formed but a part of a large cloth to
hang behind an altar as a reredos. Those very long-toed shoes brought
into fashion here by Ann of Bohemia, our Richard II.'s queen, were
called "cracowes."
1310.
Maniple of Crimson and Gold Damask; ground, bright crimson; design, stags and sunbeams. Sicilian, late 14th century. 3 feet 7-1/2 inches by 4 inches.
Under No. 8624 there is a specimen of silk damask, without gold in
it, of a pattern so like this that, were the present piece perfect in its
design, we might presume both had come from the same loom, and
