now so tarnished that they look black. Sicilian, 14th century. 5-1/2 inches by 5 inches.
One of those specimens which will be sought by those who want
examples of stuffs figured with animals. This stuff is shewn in
Dr. Bock's "Dessinateur pour Etoffes," &c. 3 Livraison.
8634.
Piece of Silk Damask; ground, fawn and green; pattern, small squares enclosing leaves, birds, and beasts alternately. Italian, 14th century. 7-1/2 inches by 3 inches.
Though small, the pattern is good and comes from either a Sicilian
or a Reggio loom. Lions, and stags with branching horns, eagles,
parrots, and undecipherable birds, in braces with necks crossing one
another, are to be found upon it; among the foliage the vine-leaf
prevails.
8635.
Altar Frontal of Linen, embroidered with the filfot in white thread freckled with spots in blue and green silk, and lozenge-shaped ornaments in blue, green, and crimson silk. German, 14th century. 3 feet 10 inches square.
There can be little doubt but this piece of needlework was originally
meant for an altar frontal, and its curious but coarser lining, may
have been wrought for the same separate but distinct purpose. The
filfot or gammadion, a favourite object upon vestments, is its chief
adornment, while its lining, a work of a century later, is worked with
a palm-like design in thick linen thread. At a later time, it seems to
have been employed as a covering to the table itself of the altar, and is
plentifully sprinkled with spots of wax-droppings.
8636.
Piece of Linen Cloth, embroidered with filfots, some in white, some in blue silk. German, 14th century. 1 foot 11 inches by 9 inches.
