4059.
Piece of Woven Orphrey; ground, crimson silk; subject, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in yellow silk. Florentine, 15th century. 2 feet 9 inches by 8-3/4 inches.
This favourite subject of all art-schools in the mediæval period is
treated here much after other examples in this collection, as No. 8977,
&c, but with some variations, and better design and drawing. The
Eternal Father, with glory round Him, and two cherubim, is putting
a crown upon the head of St. Mary, who is seated upon sun-beams
surrounded by angels, while she drops her girdle to St. Thomas as he
kneels at her late grave, now filled with new-blown lilies, and bearing
on its front the words "Assunta est." "Assunta" for "Assumpta"
is the weaver's own blunder. Dr. Bock gives a plate of it in his
"Geschichte des Liturgischen Gewänder des Mittelalters," 1 Band, 2
Lieferung, pl. xvi.
4061.
Piece of Raised Velvet; ground, pale yellow silk; pattern, in raised velvet, a large oblong square, having within a border of corn-flowers a large star-like inflorescence, and each square separated by a border or band charged with liliaceous flowers, in crimson raised velvet, in part upon a silver ground, now blackened, surrounded by an ornament in amber-streaked green in raised velvet. Italian, late 16th century. 4 feet by 1 foot 1 inch.
Another of the several specimens of the rich raised velvet for furnishing
purposes.
4062.
Purse in Green Velvet, embroidered with gold and silver threads, and at bottom emblazoned with a ducal crown and two shields of arms. French, 18th century. 4-1/2 inches in diameter, 3 inches high.
