8670.
The hind Orphrey for a Chasuble, with embroidered figures applied upon a ground red and gold. The figures are a knight bareheaded and kneeling in prayer, with his helmet and shield before him, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Anthony of Egypt reading a book. German, middle of the 15th century. 2 feet 11 inches by 5-1/4 inches.
The figures are well done, and all show the varieties of process then
brought into use; they were worked on canvas, of which the portions
for the face and hands were left untouched, saving by the few slight
stitches required for indicating the hair and features of the countenance
and indications of the fingers. Some of the dress was cut out of woven
cloth of gold and sewed on; other parts worked with the needle, as
were such accessories as books, instruments of martyrdom, and other
such emblems. The knight, probably the giver of the chasuble, is
meant to be indicated by his blazon, which is a shield or charged with
eight torteaux in orle, and this is surmounted by a golden helmet with
mantling, and a crest, consisting of golden horns fringed with four
torteaux each. The ground upon which the embroideries are set is
rich, and woven with golden wheel-like circles with wavy, not straight,
spokes upon a bright red field.
8671.
Fragment of an Orphrey, woven in gold and coloured silks; pattern, intertwining brambles of the wild rose, bearing flowers seeded and barbed. German, beginning of the 16th century. 7-3/4 inches by 4-1/2 inches.
Though the ground is, or rather was, of gold, so sparingly was the
precious metal bestowed upon the thread, that it has been almost entirely
worn away. The same may be said of the very narrow tape with
which, on one of its edges, it is still bordered.
