A Remarkably Fine Silk Double Sided Embroidery of a Saint, Possibly St. Francis, With Skull and Stigmata. French 17th Century. 20 x 16 cms.
A Remarkably Fine Silk Double Sided Embroidery of a Saint, Possibly St. Francis, With Skull and Stigmata. French 17th Century. 20 x 16 cms.
A remarkably fine piece of embroidery dating from the 1700’s.
It depicts St. Francis who is frequently shown in a brown monk’s habit with the hermit’s skull and the wounds of the stigmata through his hands, sitting at the entrance of his cave.
Sewn onto paper usings silks in shades of green, blue cream and coral, the workmanship is such that it can be appreciated from both sides.
Size 20 x 16 cms or 8. 6 1.4 inches.
Condition: Very Good. Considering its age the piece has held up well. The paper is somewhat browned but still sound. Something, an insect perhaps, has left some hard brown deposits on the paper that I have not attempted to remove since some pieces are beneath the silk. You can see them in the pictures above if you look closely at the saint’s head and neck; also at the base of the page.