Picture
Object name
Maker
Date made
Late 19th century-early 20th century
Description
Late 19th or early 20th-century embroidered picture depicting St John with a chalice and winged serpent.
Content description
Late 19th or early 20th-century embroidered picture of St John the Evangelist holding a chalice with a winged serpent. The piece was worked on a fine even weave linen, which can be seen on the face, hands, and feet. These have lines of stem stitch delineating the facial features, fingers, and toes. The embroidery has been transferred from its original backing onto a Fairford Damask in the second half of the 20th century. A very fine line of couching around the figure masks the applique.
St John's sandals, hair, robes, chalice, and winged serpent have all been worked in stem stitch in a variety of silk threads. The saint's halo is worked in gold passing thread that has been couched with a border of gold twist. The top of St John's gown features spangles, a pearl, and couched passing threads. It is not known if the embroidery was originally done by the RSN but the transfer onto damask was done by RSN Apprentices.
The rendering of St John, the mixture of gold and silk, and the heavy use of split stitch all suggest that this object was made during the Arts and Crafts movement. Depictions of St John with a chalice and winged serpent span media and centuries. In the apocryphal Acts of John, the saint was made to drink poison but survived. The serpent on the chalice symbolises the poison.
St John's sandals, hair, robes, chalice, and winged serpent have all been worked in stem stitch in a variety of silk threads. The saint's halo is worked in gold passing thread that has been couched with a border of gold twist. The top of St John's gown features spangles, a pearl, and couched passing threads. It is not known if the embroidery was originally done by the RSN but the transfer onto damask was done by RSN Apprentices.
The rendering of St John, the mixture of gold and silk, and the heavy use of split stitch all suggest that this object was made during the Arts and Crafts movement. Depictions of St John with a chalice and winged serpent span media and centuries. In the apocryphal Acts of John, the saint was made to drink poison but survived. The serpent on the chalice symbolises the poison.
Dimensions
width: 60cm
height: 150cm
height: 150cm
Materials
Stitches
Techniques
Motifs
Catalogue number
RSN.2106
© Royal School of Needlework