Book Cushion Cover thumbnail 1
Book Cushion Cover thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Book Cushion Cover

1400-1430 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

During the Middle Ages the church was an immensely important patron of weaving and embroidery. This particular embroidery could be part of a portable or house altar. It shows the Holy Family and scens from the life of Christ, which were common in different media during the Middle Ages, such as the presentation of Christ in the Temple. The Virgin and Child sit under a canopy, with Saint Joseph bearing a basket in one hand and a lily in the other. The group is flanked by angels.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen embroidered in silk and edged with silk cord
Brief description
Embroidered panel, with a scene of the Virgin, Child and Saint Joseph, made on linen canvas with silk threads. The stitches cover all of hte surface of the linen. The scene depicts the Holy Family under a canopy with architectural decoration, and flanked by four angels holding flowers. St Joseph has a basket of bird and a lily in his hands.
Physical description
Linen canvas embroidered with silk in plait, stem and herringbone stitches edged with woven silk cord
Dimensions
  • Unmounted height: 34cm
  • Width: 50cm
  • Depth: 0.5cm
36 x 52 x 1.5 cm mounted on specially designed perspex mount
Subjects depicted
Summary
During the Middle Ages the church was an immensely important patron of weaving and embroidery. This particular embroidery could be part of a portable or house altar. It shows the Holy Family and scens from the life of Christ, which were common in different media during the Middle Ages, such as the presentation of Christ in the Temple. The Virgin and Child sit under a canopy, with Saint Joseph bearing a basket in one hand and a lily in the other. The group is flanked by angels.
Collection
Accession number
1324-1864

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Record createdOctober 27, 2003
Record URL
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