Embroidery thumbnail 1
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Embroidery

1220-1250 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This fragment is thought to have come from a pair of episcopal stockings, soft knee length type of boots usually worn by bishops, found in a tomb believed to be that of Walter de Cantelupe, Bishop of Worcester. Other fragments are in the British Museum and Worcester Cathedral. Although embroidered in the 13th century, characteristic elements of 12th century, Romanesque art are present in the scroll work, with stiffly drawn figures, arranged in a formal geometric pattern. Records of the period, such as the 1295 Inventory of St Paul's Cathedral, London contain references to similarly decorated vestments.

The fine silver-gilt thread is laid in vertical lines and it is worked in underside couching in a regular brick pattern, the latter typical of opus anglicanum (Latin for English work) of the early medieval period. Underside couching is a labour-intensive technique whereby the thread used to couch down the lines of silver-gilt thread is pulled through to the back of the material. It was used principally but not exclusively in English medieval embroidery. From about the mid 13th to the mid 14th century opus anglicanum was famed throughout Europe and bought by kings and popes. The silk twill material on which the embroidery was worked was imported, probably from Italy or even the Near East.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered with silver-gilt thread and coloured silks in underside couching, split stitch and stem stitch on woven silk twill
Brief description
Part of an embroidered episcopal stocking
Physical description
Part of an episcopal stocking, a soft knee length type of boot usually worn by bishops
Dimensions
  • Length: 235.0mm (Max. length)
  • Width: 300.0mm (Max. width)
  • Length: 330.0mm (Length of frame)
  • Width: 450.0mm (Width of frame)
  • Depth: 40.0mm (Depth of frame)
Credit line
Acquired by the V&A from W. Lunn, 1901
Object history
From a tomb in Worcester Cathedral, believed to be that of Bishop Walter de Cantilupe, opened 1861; acquired by the V&A from W. Lunn, 1901
Production
Removed from a stone tomb in 1861, believed to be that of Walter de Cantelupe, Bishop of Worcester, 1236-66
Subject depicted
Association
Summary
This fragment is thought to have come from a pair of episcopal stockings, soft knee length type of boots usually worn by bishops, found in a tomb believed to be that of Walter de Cantelupe, Bishop of Worcester. Other fragments are in the British Museum and Worcester Cathedral. Although embroidered in the 13th century, characteristic elements of 12th century, Romanesque art are present in the scroll work, with stiffly drawn figures, arranged in a formal geometric pattern. Records of the period, such as the 1295 Inventory of St Paul's Cathedral, London contain references to similarly decorated vestments.

The fine silver-gilt thread is laid in vertical lines and it is worked in underside couching in a regular brick pattern, the latter typical of opus anglicanum (Latin for English work) of the early medieval period. Underside couching is a labour-intensive technique whereby the thread used to couch down the lines of silver-gilt thread is pulled through to the back of the material. It was used principally but not exclusively in English medieval embroidery. From about the mid 13th to the mid 14th century opus anglicanum was famed throughout Europe and bought by kings and popes. The silk twill material on which the embroidery was worked was imported, probably from Italy or even the Near East.
Bibliographic reference
Browne, Clare; Davies, Glyn; Michael, M.A, English Medieval Embroidery: Opus Anglicanum , exhibition catalogue, London, Victoria and Albert Museum (London: 2016), pp.128-130.
Collection
Accession number
1380-1901

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Record createdFebruary 10, 2004
Record URL
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