8340.
Piece of Silk Damask; pattern, of the 16th century revival character, in crimson upon a yellow ground; probably a border to some other stuff. Florentine, end of the 16th century, 10-1/2 inches by 5-1/2 inches.
8341.
Piece of Linen and Woollen Damask, white and green; the pattern, birds, oak-leaves, and acorns. North Italian, end of the 16th century. 7 inches by 5 inches.
Though made out of such humble materials as linen-thread and
worsted, this charming little piece of stuff cannot fail in drawing upon
itself the eye of the observer, by the beauty and elegance which it has
about it.
8342.
Linen Napkin, or rather Sindon or Pyx-cloth, the borders embroidered with coloured silks and silver-*thread. Perhaps Flemish, 16th century. 18-1/2 inches by 16-1/2 inches.
In more senses than one this small linen cloth is of great value,
being, in the first place, a liturgical appliance of the mediæval period,
now unused in this form, certainly unique in this country, and hardly
ever to be met with on the continent, either in private hands or public
collections. According to ancient English custom, the pyx containing
particles of the Blessed Eucharist for giving, at all hours of day or night,
the Holy Communion to the dying, and kept hanging up over the high
altar of every church in this land, was overspread with one of such fine
linen and embroidered veils, as may be seen in an illumination from the
"Life of St. Edmund, King and Martyr," in the Harley Collection,
British Museum, and engraved in the "Church of our Fathers," t. iv.
p. 206.
The readers of English history will, no doubt, feel an interest in this specimen, when they learn that, with such a linen napkin, Mary
