Image Robe thumbnail 1
Image Robe thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Image Robe

1670-1699 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This straw plait decorated piece is probably the back of a small image robe (used to dress a religious statue). It was originally of crimson silk satin, but has drastically faded to cream. The robe is embroidered with two straw plait of whole stalks, couched with yellow silk to form a design consisting of scrolls forming ogee-shaped compartments which enclose a fleur-de-lis. Traces of cut thread and discoloured stitch holes within the straw design suggest that precious embellishment has carefully been removed at one point. It is likely that the use of straw was intentional and of specific importance, perhaps dressing religious statues during Michaelmas. Maybe the local saint was dressed in a straw decorated robe to further empower the blessing and protection of next year's harvest.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Image Robe
  • Image Robe
  • Image Robe
Materials and techniques
Silk satin backed with linen, embroidered with straw, couched with silk thread
Brief description
Silk satin embroidered with straw work, 1670-1699, France
Production typeUnique
Subject depicted
Summary
This straw plait decorated piece is probably the back of a small image robe (used to dress a religious statue). It was originally of crimson silk satin, but has drastically faded to cream. The robe is embroidered with two straw plait of whole stalks, couched with yellow silk to form a design consisting of scrolls forming ogee-shaped compartments which enclose a fleur-de-lis. Traces of cut thread and discoloured stitch holes within the straw design suggest that precious embellishment has carefully been removed at one point. It is likely that the use of straw was intentional and of specific importance, perhaps dressing religious statues during Michaelmas. Maybe the local saint was dressed in a straw decorated robe to further empower the blessing and protection of next year's harvest.
Collection
Accession number
393 to B-1896

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Record createdAugust 16, 2002
Record URL
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