Not currently on display at the V&A

Panel

1596 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Embroidered panel depicting the Baptism of Christ. Possibly a pillow cover of pink, Z spun linen tabby, embroidered with silk and gold thread. Surface couching, running, chain, stem, whipped stem and a variety of surface stitches are used.
Apart from a fairly strong red, the colours are subdued, in pale tones of blue, green, brown and white.
In the centre, Christ standing in Jordan is baptised by St. John the Baptist, while an angel holds his robe. Above Christ's rayed nimbus is another rayed nimbus containing the Holy Spirit and above this again, the word 'DEUS'. To the left, a group of four persons wearing 16th century dress, possibly a family portrait, in a landscape setting with flowers, trees, dog, rabbit, birds and various buildings. At the top, a strapwork cartouche with the inscription; 'DER TOUFF DIE TUB DAS HIMLISCH HWORTT AM IORDAN SO MAN SACH UND HORTT STELT CHRISTUM FÜR ZUM OBERN HIRT UFF DESSE STIM MAN LEBT UND STIRBT'. Above the cartouche, the date 1596. In the bottom corners there is an unidentified coat of arms with mantling. The panel is surrounded by a fringe of gold lace and green silk.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidery, linen, silk, couching, running, chain, stem, whipped stem and surface stitches, gold lace and silk fringe
Brief description
Embroidered panel, Switzerland, 1596.
Physical description
Embroidered panel depicting the Baptism of Christ. Possibly a pillow cover of pink, Z spun linen tabby, embroidered with silk and gold thread. Surface couching, running, chain, stem, whipped stem and a variety of surface stitches are used.
Apart from a fairly strong red, the colours are subdued, in pale tones of blue, green, brown and white.
In the centre, Christ standing in Jordan is baptised by St. John the Baptist, while an angel holds his robe. Above Christ's rayed nimbus is another rayed nimbus containing the Holy Spirit and above this again, the word 'DEUS'. To the left, a group of four persons wearing 16th century dress, possibly a family portrait, in a landscape setting with flowers, trees, dog, rabbit, birds and various buildings. At the top, a strapwork cartouche with the inscription; 'DER TOUFF DIE TUB DAS HIMLISCH HWORTT AM IORDAN SO MAN SACH UND HORTT STELT CHRISTUM FÜR ZUM OBERN HIRT UFF DESSE STIM MAN LEBT UND STIRBT'. Above the cartouche, the date 1596. In the bottom corners there is an unidentified coat of arms with mantling. The panel is surrounded by a fringe of gold lace and green silk.
Dimensions
  • Length: 27.5in
  • Width: 31.5in
Marks and inscriptions
'DER TOUFF DIE TUB DAS HIMLISCH HWORTT AM IORDAN SO MAN SACH UND HORTT STELT CHRISTUM FÜR ZUM OBERN HIRT UFF DESSE STIM MAN LEBT UND STIRBT'
Collection
Accession number
T.158-1970

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest