We are delighted to offer this scarce and ancient silkwork embroidery that dates from the 1720-40 period. Continental in origin either French or Spanish, this glorious example was worked as a celebration of faith. This example is framed beautifully in a 19th century frame and comes to you ready to display. For similar paintings please see Giovanni Francesco de Rosa (Pacecco de Rosa), Madonna and Child in Glory with Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier, Lavinia Fontana Madonna of the Assumption of Ponte Santo with Saints Cassiano and Pier Crisologo and The Virgin Adored by Saints by Scarsellino. Our scene depicts the scene of The Assumption of The Virgin. Beneath the Virgin Mary we see two Jesuit saints, most likely St Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier in the black cassock. Surrounding the saints are the Arma Christi or instruments of the passion, the objects associated with Jesus’ Passion in Christian symbolism and art. We see the vessel to hold the gall and vinegar, a lantern, a pile of 30 pieces of silver, a vessel of myrrh, the reed and between the saints the Dogwood flower associated with Christ’s blood and rebirth. Worked up on a silk ground, the faces and hands are each hand painted. The stitched detailing on the liturgical garments is exceptional. Surrounding the saints we see a profuse use of long and short stitch to create texture and shading. The individual chasubles are stitched using silk floss thread with silver wrapped thread (called passing). Just study the sleeve cuffs of the vestments where this metal thread imitates the luxurious metal lace that was so popular at this time. St Ignatius Loyola on the left holds the stole in his left hand, Francis Xavier wears a red stole draped over his chasuble. The virgin Mary wears the traditional blue gown. Size: The mahogany veneered frame measures 13″ (33 cm) by 15.75″ (40 cm), the actual silkwork embroidery measures 9.25″ (23.5 cm) by 12″ (30.5 cm). Weight 1.5 KG. Condition: The thread colours have remained good and bright, we particularly like the crimson. The painted faces have some minor wear. The silk ground has perished around the virgin – mainly at 12 o’clock where the perished silk flaps open, see photo taken from the side angle. There is some perishing to some of the stitching on the saints clothing but for its vast age we feel that on balance this is really not too bad at all. The frame is very sound but has some slivers of veneer missing to the three out of four edge corners and midway along the bottom edge. The item “French 18th Century Religious Needlework Embroidery Picture Circa 1740″ is in sale since Thursday, July 21, 2016. This item is in the category “Antiques\Fabric/Textiles\Embroidery”. The seller is “thechapterhouse” and is located in DURSLEY. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ireland, Germany, France.
- Product: Framed Items
- Sub-Type: Needlework
- Material: Silk
- Type/ Features: Embroidery
- Style/ Origin: Georgian