8302.
Piece of Purple Silk and Gold Tissue; the pattern is formed of angels holding a monstrance, beneath which is a six-winged cherub's head. Florentine, 14th century. 18 inches by 16 inches.
This is one of the most elaborate and remarkable specimens of the
mediæval weavers' works, and shows how well, even with their appliances,
they could gear their looms. The faces of the six-winged
cherubic heads, as well as the hands and faces of the seraphim, vested
in long albs, were originally shaded by needle-work, most of which is
now gone. The Umbrian school of design to be seen in the gracefully
floating forms of the angels, is very discernible. This rich stuff must
have been purposely designed and woven for especial liturgical use at
the great Festival of Corpus Christi, and its solemn processions. It may
have been employed for hanging the chancel walls, or for altar-curtains;
but most likely it overspread the long wooden framework or portable
table upon which stood, and was thus carried all about the town by two
or four deacons, the Blessed Sacrament enclosed in a tall heavy gold or
silver vessel like the one shown in this textile, and called a "monstrance,"
because, instead of shutting up from public gaze, it displayed
the consecrated host as it was borne about among the people. Dr.
Bock has figured this stuff in his "Geschichte der Liturgischen
Gewänder des Mittelalters."
8303.
Piece of Linen; pattern, stamped in black with a central stem of conventional branches and flowers, at either side of which are hawks crested, regardant; at one side is a running border of detached portions of scroll-foliage. Flemish, very late 14th century. 13 inches by 6-3/4 inches.
Any specimen of such printed linen has now become somewhat a
rarity, though there are other pieces here, Nos. 7022, 8615.
