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Not currently on display at the V&A

Superfrontal

1870-1899 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Embroidered superfrontal of red velvet in floss silks and metal threads. The design depicts four angels alternating with three inscribed panels 'SANCTUS'. There is a background design of scrolling leaves and stems worked in gold threads, graded floss silks and Japanese gold thread. The angels each hold a sign of the Passion or Celebration of the Resurrection including a palm leaf, a harp and bindings from the tomb. One angel holds aloft either bells or a crown-like object.

The motifs are applied to the velvet ground and there is an outline couching in brown silk. Some areas (angel wings, lettering and some leaves) are padded from beneath. The central scrolling stem is worked in gold thread with a silk core and background floral design and the angels are embroidered in polychrome silks in long and short and stem stitches with laid and couched work, and couched Japanese gold thread. The inscribed panels show pale blue silk lettering worked in satin stitches over a brown and cream silk ground covered in couched filling stitches. All sections of the design are outlined in couched Japanese gold thread except for the figures. The silk embroidery uses shades of blue, yellow or gold, cream, green, red, pink and orange.

The superfrontal has a wide brown linen border and lining onto which are sewn two sets of hooks and eyes on either end of the embroidered panel. The sides and top edge of the embroidered superfrontal are edged with a dark red twisted cord and the lower edge has a manufactured fringed border with gold and purple headings. The fringing comprises various coloured tassels in shades of green, gold, pink, red, cream and blue.

The back of the linen is inscribed in ink 'S. Peter's Convent, Maybury Hill, Woking'. Two attached labels read 'High Altar Best' and 'RED high Altar'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered velvet in floss silks and metal threads, with a linen border and lining
Brief description
Embroidered superfrontal of velvet in silks and metal threads, designed by J.L. Pearson, probably embroidered by the Sisters of the Community of St Peter's Convent, Kilburn, 1870-1899
Physical description
Embroidered superfrontal of red velvet in floss silks and metal threads. The design depicts four angels alternating with three inscribed panels 'SANCTUS'. There is a background design of scrolling leaves and stems worked in gold threads, graded floss silks and Japanese gold thread. The angels each hold a sign of the Passion or Celebration of the Resurrection including a palm leaf, a harp and bindings from the tomb. One angel holds aloft either bells or a crown-like object.

The motifs are applied to the velvet ground and there is an outline couching in brown silk. Some areas (angel wings, lettering and some leaves) are padded from beneath. The central scrolling stem is worked in gold thread with a silk core and background floral design and the angels are embroidered in polychrome silks in long and short and stem stitches with laid and couched work, and couched Japanese gold thread. The inscribed panels show pale blue silk lettering worked in satin stitches over a brown and cream silk ground covered in couched filling stitches. All sections of the design are outlined in couched Japanese gold thread except for the figures. The silk embroidery uses shades of blue, yellow or gold, cream, green, red, pink and orange.

The superfrontal has a wide brown linen border and lining onto which are sewn two sets of hooks and eyes on either end of the embroidered panel. The sides and top edge of the embroidered superfrontal are edged with a dark red twisted cord and the lower edge has a manufactured fringed border with gold and purple headings. The fringing comprises various coloured tassels in shades of green, gold, pink, red, cream and blue.

The back of the linen is inscribed in ink 'S. Peter's Convent, Maybury Hill, Woking'. Two attached labels read 'High Altar Best' and 'RED high Altar'.
Dimensions
  • Velvet width: 6.5in
  • Velvet length: 89in
  • Velvet width: 16.5cm
  • Velvet length: 226.7cm
  • Linen backing width: 22in
  • Linen backing length: 101in
  • Linen backing width: 56cm
  • Linen backing length: 252.1cm
  • Weight: 0.94kg
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'SANCTUS' (On three panels)
  • 'S. Peter's Convent, Maybury Hill, Woking' (Back of the linen, inscribed in ink)
  • 'High Altar Best' (On label)
  • 'RED high Altar' (On label)
Credit line
Given by the Sisterhood of the Community of St Peter
Object history
Registered File number 1988/682.

The Convent of St Peter's believes the frontal was designed by J.L. Pearson, the architect of their founder church in Kilburn (the Convent was moved to new premises in Woking). A signed design was owned by the Convent but could not be traced when the superfrontal was acquired. It is possible that the embroidery was worked by the Sisters of the Convent who were known to be accomplished embroiderers.

See T.72-1988, a later piece worked in the Convent.
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
T.71-1988

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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