French 19th Century Raised Embroidery of Madonna & Child

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Dimensions: 50 ¾” H x 36 ⅛” W x 1 ⅜” D

An impressive work of textile art, this French … Read more Dimensions: 50 ¾” H x 36 ⅛” W x 1 ⅜” D

An impressive work of textile art, this French 19th century raised gold embroidery of the Madonna & Child resembles liturgical vestments such as a cope or chasuble that a member of the clergy would wear to mass, applying the same techniques and quality to a more static image set within a wood frame. The appliqués are mounted on ivory silk with a moiré pattern that gives the illusion of faux bois, shifting and rippling in the light along with the metallic threads. Mary and the Christ child are rendered with handpainted faces and hands that achieve the kind of tenderness observed in Italian Renaissance art; they are wrapped in robes with a variety of textures & stiches to indicate the depth of gathered folds of fabric, including gold sequins, as she holds the child safely over the embroidered red serpent around her feet. The figural vignette is contained within orphrey or orfoi embroidered border of foliate and floral theme in gold, green, pale blue and red. Delicate, scrolling vines grow outward from the textile border across the negative space of ivory silk toward the ebonized, carved wood frame protecting the delicate work. Please view the detailed images to see more of this captivating example of ecclesiastical art, and the current condition. See less