Not currently on display at the V&A

Altar Frontal

1550-1599 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Altar frontal made up from a narrow panel of linen. With a deep and decorated border which fits round three sides of the panel and a narrow decorated border made from two different pieces, which runs round all four sides and which as been folded to fit the top corners and cut along the bottom edge, where it forms a very narrow edging. Three sides are further decorated with a narrow edging of coarse plaited bobbin lace. The decorated borders are embroidered with white linen thread in satin and overcast stitched and are decorated with small cutwork panels filled with reticella lace. The designs are all geometric. The largest border is filled with crosses which form squares containing cutwork squares. Part of the outer border is decorated with a zig zag line which forms triangles in which are tiny cutwork diamonds. The remainder of this border is divided into diamond and half-diamond shapes containing cutwork centres.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen, bobbin lace, embroidered in linen thread
Brief description
Altar frontal of linen with bobbin lace and embroidered, Italy, 1550-1599
Physical description
Altar frontal made up from a narrow panel of linen. With a deep and decorated border which fits round three sides of the panel and a narrow decorated border made from two different pieces, which runs round all four sides and which as been folded to fit the top corners and cut along the bottom edge, where it forms a very narrow edging. Three sides are further decorated with a narrow edging of coarse plaited bobbin lace. The decorated borders are embroidered with white linen thread in satin and overcast stitched and are decorated with small cutwork panels filled with reticella lace. The designs are all geometric. The largest border is filled with crosses which form squares containing cutwork squares. Part of the outer border is decorated with a zig zag line which forms triangles in which are tiny cutwork diamonds. The remainder of this border is divided into diamond and half-diamond shapes containing cutwork centres.
Dimensions
  • Length: 143.25in
  • Length: 364cm
  • Width: 17.5in
  • Width: 44.4cm
Credit line
Given by Mrs H. C. B. Lethbridge
Collection
Accession number
T.64-1968

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