Panel
1470-1500 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Rich frontals were used to add colour and grandeur to the front of the altar. Occasionally, as in this example, their motifs included the figures of the donors.The figures can be identified by their names embroidered in the scrolls above them, but unfortunately nothing more is known about these individuals. They must have been fairly wealthy to be able to afford this costly embroidery. The dates of the figures are indicated by their clothing, the ones above being in dress of a slightly earlier period than the younger couple seen below. Henry Smyth, the husband in the upper pair, has the characteristic 'bowl crop' haircut that went out of fashion around 1460, though the style still appears occasionally after that date. His shoes are high around the ankle and cut with a deep 'V', in a fashion of the second half of the 15th century. Johanna or Joan, his wife wears a loose-fitting gown with a long train, a style that dates from around 1450-1470.The man below, Thomas Smyth, has a 'pageboy' haircut. His wife, who has the same name as the woman above, Johanna or Joan, wears a gown of a style that suggests a date close to 1500.Other interesting details include the two tasselled cushions on which the upper couple are kneeling and the large pouch or purse worn at the waist of Thomas Smyth. The cuffs and skirts of all the figures have scalloped borders in gold. Although still bright and fairly fresh looking, the colours have faded. The gowns of the two lower figures were originally red but are now a dull cream. The yellows and greens were brighter as well, and the blue velvet background had a much deeper hue. Together with the details in gold, the figures and flower motifs would have stood out even more vividly than they do now.
The embroidery is worked with silver-gilt and silk threads in couched work and split stitch.
The embroidery is worked with silver-gilt and silk threads in couched work and split stitch.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Silk velvet, with linen applied and embroidered in silver-gilt and silk threads |
Brief description | Henry and Thomas Smyth and their wives |
Physical description | This embroidered panel is possibly from a cope, shows figures of two men and women on their knees in prayer. Three decorative emblems appear on the right. It is made from silk velvet, with linen applied and embroidered in silver-gilt and silk threads in couched work and split stitch. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed in Latin meaning 'Pray for the souls of Henry Smyth and his wife Johanna' and ' Pray for the souls of Thomas Smyth and his wife Johanna' |
Gallery label | British Galleries:
The altar area of a church was reserved for the clergy. By paying for a richly embroidered altar frontal, the Smith family could be represented in the place where the Mass was celebrated. They are shown kneeling, the upper (elder) pair in dress of about 1450-1470, the lower pair in dress of about 1500.(27/03/2003) |
Object history | Velvet probably from Italy; embroidered and made up in England |
Summary | Rich frontals were used to add colour and grandeur to the front of the altar. Occasionally, as in this example, their motifs included the figures of the donors.The figures can be identified by their names embroidered in the scrolls above them, but unfortunately nothing more is known about these individuals. They must have been fairly wealthy to be able to afford this costly embroidery. The dates of the figures are indicated by their clothing, the ones above being in dress of a slightly earlier period than the younger couple seen below. Henry Smyth, the husband in the upper pair, has the characteristic 'bowl crop' haircut that went out of fashion around 1460, though the style still appears occasionally after that date. His shoes are high around the ankle and cut with a deep 'V', in a fashion of the second half of the 15th century. Johanna or Joan, his wife wears a loose-fitting gown with a long train, a style that dates from around 1450-1470.The man below, Thomas Smyth, has a 'pageboy' haircut. His wife, who has the same name as the woman above, Johanna or Joan, wears a gown of a style that suggests a date close to 1500.Other interesting details include the two tasselled cushions on which the upper couple are kneeling and the large pouch or purse worn at the waist of Thomas Smyth. The cuffs and skirts of all the figures have scalloped borders in gold. Although still bright and fairly fresh looking, the colours have faded. The gowns of the two lower figures were originally red but are now a dull cream. The yellows and greens were brighter as well, and the blue velvet background had a much deeper hue. Together with the details in gold, the figures and flower motifs would have stood out even more vividly than they do now. The embroidery is worked with silver-gilt and silk threads in couched work and split stitch. |
Collection | |
Accession number | T.194-1911 |
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Record created | December 15, 1999 |
Record URL |
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