The earliest known *dated* sampler is the Bostocke sampler at the V&A, but it's not actually the oldest sampler. There are several in my book "Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt," and they *all* significantly predate the Bostocke sampler. Which is, nonetheless, one of my favorite pieces in the world <g>...I pretty much expected beams of light and choirs of angels, when I actually found that sampler in the textile rooms at the V&A. But then, I'm an embroidery geek of long standing! --Sue in Montana
----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 6:36 PM Subject: RE: [h-cost] Medieval embroidery > > > > Although with some stitches you can't help making the back nearly as neat as > the front (classics indeed being blackwork and tent stitch, etc), I'm not > aware of any medieval embroidery being made this way on purpose. > > And whether styles like blackwork or asissi work, or several others, very > much depends on your geographical context. > > Its appearance at cuffs and collars doesn't have any real relevance to the > state of the back, as embroidery was done prior to the making up of the garment > (usually), so that the back of the work would be unlikely to be seen. > > As far as I'm aware the neatness of the back of embroidery dates to the > beginnings of samplers - and the earliest known one of these is late 16th century > (I think - the one in the v&a textiles room). > > Both sides same embroidery, where the intention of the work is to have both > sides looking exactly the same is 19th century thing (possibly late 18th??), > that came about for use on things like military standards. It's also > incredibly difficult to do, and one of the banes of my life!! :o) > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > h-costume mailing list > h-costume@mail.indra.com > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
