Tudor-Style Slow Stitching

DH and I visited the Cleveland Museum of Art on Tuesday and we sure did see some fine examples of slow stitching! It is hard to imagine the difficulty of creating some of the works displayed in the Tudor Exhibit. Those seamstresses worked in poorly-lit rooms with primitively-crafted tools, yet produced the most opulent garments, tapestries, table coverings, scarves, and accessories one could imagine.

One of the most impressive pieces in the exhibit is this Flemish linen called "lawne" - a precursor, perhaps, of that fine "lawn" fabric manufactured today by Liberty of London? Very likely, I bet.

Info from the placard for this linen: Blackwork Embroidery, about 1590. "With deceptive simplicity, skilled English embroiderers worked the finest Flemish linen, called "lawne," with black silk. Here, the Tudor roses, pomegranates, and rose hips are filled in with at least 10 different minute patterns highlighted with stitched chained of gilded silver-wrapped silk floss, called "Gold of Venice." "

I took a couple of close-up pictures. You might be able to enlarge further by clicking on each picture. I marvel at the intricate, even stitches and patterns, and appreciate the time I know needlework of this sort would have taken.

The brilliant red garment below,1550-1600, is called a Chasuble. Similar embroidery to the linen piece above is evident in this.

The accompanying placard reads: "After Henry VII's inspired adoption of the two-colored Tudor rose to symbolize the union of the previously warring Lancaster and York royal families, the symbol became ubiquitous throughout 16th-century England. Here, it is rendered in precious thread and brilliant silks against a crimson satin ground and among a garden of oak and laurel leaves, pimpernels, and carnations. Probably intended as a hanging or furnishing, this sumptuous, imported satin, embellished with English embroidery, and applied "cut-work," was adapted as a set of vestments for clergy conducting the Church of England;s Communion service."

Some close-up details:

Moving into the tapestry and table covering areas of the exhibit, the items displayed were gargantuan in size. One tapestry, the size of a wall in the average family room, was just one of a set of three originally. The tapestries were so large that I didn't even attempt to photograph them; the lighting and other obstructions made it fruitless. Instead, I tried to capture some details that I found appealing.

These three fellows are part of a ginormous tapestry called "Creation and the Fall of Man." Click on that link to see the full tapestry. This bit above is located in the lower right corner of the tapestry. I am enamored with the depth of color and the still-vibrant tones that create the folds and shadows, both in the robes and the flowers. The stitching has the look of a watercolor, with it's carefully rendered shading.

This shot zooms in on the field of flowers at the feet of the men. I love these colors!

And in this even closer zoom-view, the actual stitches are visible. Gosh, how many stitches would be necessary in this entire tapestry?? Millions? Billions? Just in one leaf or strawberry there have to be hundreds, right??

Now, on to the "table cloth."  I use quotes there because this is like no table cloth any of us have folded away in the linen closet. No, this "cloth" is closer akin to a large area rug, in both size and thickness. First, let me show you the "table" we are talking about.

We reckon this table is roughly 30 feet long. Visitors couldn't get close enough to see fully, but I did reach my arm over the barrier for this detail pic.

The Celtic Knot and the flourishing flowers and leaves and give this cloth a pre-William Morris feel, as do the colors. Actually, the repeating "blocks" here have a quilt-like vibe, don't you think?

I hope you enjoyed this little combination art and history lesson. We sure enjoyed our quick trip to Cleveland and this first-time visit to the museum. I wrote a bit earlier about the exhibit here (link is fixed), if you'd like to check it out. The exhibit will end on the 14th, so if you are close and want to see it, time is running out.

And, yes, I am linking to Kathy's Quilts and the weekly Slow Sunday Stitching party. Kathy shares about a recent in-person gathering of a group slow stitchers. Looks like a fun time!

I hope your week is off to a great start. Ours began with a gentle rain shower/thunder storm. Great sleeping background noise! We had .8 inches, and now the sun is attempting to break through the clouds.  Gotta' love springtime in Ohio!

Happy Quilting, Friends!