Panel
1535-1555 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This piece of embroidery is a fragment of an altar frontal, a rectangular hanging covering the front of the altar.
Historical Associations
The altar frontal from which this fragment came may have been made for Lady Catherine Stafford, for use in the private chapel of the Neville family. It is associated with Lady Stafford partly because St Catherine was her patron saint. Furthermore, another altar frontal (Museum no. 35-1888), acquired at the same time and similar in style, shows the figures of Lady Catherine, her husband and their children. This suggests that the two embroideries may have come from the same original set of church furnishings.
Makers & Making
This embroidery was made in a workshop, probably in London. The sumptuous and dramatic effect has been achieved by applying a large-scale figure made of rich materials to a contrasting background material. The original background material has been replaced, but we can assume that it would have been brightly-coloured, quite possibly red velvet. Church furnishings made of rich and expensive materials were often cut up and the parts reused.
This piece of embroidery is a fragment of an altar frontal, a rectangular hanging covering the front of the altar.
Historical Associations
The altar frontal from which this fragment came may have been made for Lady Catherine Stafford, for use in the private chapel of the Neville family. It is associated with Lady Stafford partly because St Catherine was her patron saint. Furthermore, another altar frontal (Museum no. 35-1888), acquired at the same time and similar in style, shows the figures of Lady Catherine, her husband and their children. This suggests that the two embroideries may have come from the same original set of church furnishings.
Makers & Making
This embroidery was made in a workshop, probably in London. The sumptuous and dramatic effect has been achieved by applying a large-scale figure made of rich materials to a contrasting background material. The original background material has been replaced, but we can assume that it would have been brightly-coloured, quite possibly red velvet. Church furnishings made of rich and expensive materials were often cut up and the parts reused.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, embroidered with silver-gilt and silk thread in split, brick and satin stitches, couched work and some raised work, applied to modern velvet |
| Brief description | Fragment from an altar frontal |
| Physical description | Fragment from an altar frontal |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This image of St Catherine came from a set of church furnishings made for the Neville family. Images of saints were forbidden during the reigns of Edward VI (1547-1553) and Elizabeth I (1558-1603). The Nevilles were faithful to traditional religion and supported the northern revolt of 1569 against the Reformation.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made for the Neville family, perhaps for Lady Catherine Stafford (died, 1555), wife of Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmoreland (1497-1555) Made in England |
| Summary | Object Type This piece of embroidery is a fragment of an altar frontal, a rectangular hanging covering the front of the altar. Historical Associations The altar frontal from which this fragment came may have been made for Lady Catherine Stafford, for use in the private chapel of the Neville family. It is associated with Lady Stafford partly because St Catherine was her patron saint. Furthermore, another altar frontal (Museum no. 35-1888), acquired at the same time and similar in style, shows the figures of Lady Catherine, her husband and their children. This suggests that the two embroideries may have come from the same original set of church furnishings. Makers & Making This embroidery was made in a workshop, probably in London. The sumptuous and dramatic effect has been achieved by applying a large-scale figure made of rich materials to a contrasting background material. The original background material has been replaced, but we can assume that it would have been brightly-coloured, quite possibly red velvet. Church furnishings made of rich and expensive materials were often cut up and the parts reused. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 36-1888 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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