5670-5676.
Seven Chair-seat Covers; ground, yellow satin; pattern, birds, flowers, and a mask of an animal, all embroidered in various-coloured flos-silk. French, late 17th century. 2 feet 6 inches by 2 feet.
The satin is rich, and all the embroideries done in a bold effective
manner; in some of these pieces the beak of each green parrot holds
a strawberry or arbutus-fruit; and the lily and fleur-de-lis here and
there betray a French feeling. It should be noticed, too, that much
botanical knowledge is shown in the figuration of the flowers, which
are more pleasing and effective from being thus done correctly.
5677.
Two Pieces of Raised Silk Brocade; ground, yellow; pattern, the artichoke amid strap-work ornamentation, all of a large bold character, in raised crimson. Italian, 16th century. 10 feet 1 inch by 4 feet 2 inches.
A rich stuff, and made up for household decoration, perhaps for the
throne-room of some palace.
5678.
Cradle-coverlet, green silk, brocaded in gold and silver; pattern, imitation of Oriental design in gold and silver flowers, after a large form, lined in red. French, 18th century. 3 feet 6 inches square.
A specimen of a rich and telling, though not artistic, stuff.
5723.
Piece of Raised Velvet; green, on a light amber-coloured ground. Genoese, late 16th century. 7 feet 10 inches by 1 foot 8 inches.
