So sparingly was the gold twined about the yellow thread, and of such a debased amalgamation that it has almost entirely disappeared, or where it remains has turned black.
8571.
Portion of Gold Tissue, figured with birds and beasts in gold upon a crimson ground. French or English, late 12th century. 9 inches by 2-1/8 inches.
When new this textile must have been very pretty; but so fugitive
was its original crimson, that now it looks a lightish brown.
Within circles, divided by a tree made to look like a floriated cross,
stands a lion regardant, and upon the transverse limbs of the cross, as
upon the boughs of a tree, are perched two doves; while the spandrils
or spaces between the circles are filled in with fleurs-de-lis growing out
of leafed stalks. Though, in after times, it may have been applied to
church use, it seems, like the specimen under No. 8569, to have been
at first intended for female dress, either as a girdle or head attire.
8572.
Two Portions of Embroidery (joined together), the one showing, on a reddish purple silk ground, figures of birds and animals within circles, all embroidered in gold; the other, a similar ground and pattern within lozenges. German, 14th century. 2 feet 1-1/2 inches by 2 inches.
The figures are heraldic monsters with the exception of the three
birds, and are all done with great freedom and spirit; like the preceding
piece, this looks as if it had originally been wrought for a lady's girdle.
The present two portions seem from the first to have formed parts of
the same ornament, and to have been worked by the same needle.
8573.
Small Fragment of Red Silk, having a narrow border of purple with lozenge pattern, in gold. English or French, 13th century. 2 inches by 3/4 inch.
Alike, in its original use, to the foregoing pieces.
