Border

Object name

Date made

16th century-17th century

Place made

Description

Assisi work border of griffins, made in Italy in the 16th or 17th century.

Content description

Assisi work border featuring griffins, made in Italy in the 16th or 17th century. The design features a repeating pattern of a vase-like shapes, flanked by griffins that face each other. In between the griffins are stylised flowering trees. The top and bottom of the border features little cross-like shapes made of cross stitches. The central pattern is made of cross and Holbein stitches.

Assisi work originates in the Italian town of the same name. Usually coloured threads are used to fill in a cream-coloured linen background and the motif is left blank. Oftentimes an embroidered outline, done using Holbein stitch, is worked around the motif to delineate it from the background and add detail to the motifs. Heraldic imagery as well as symmetrical designs usually feature in designs. In this case, red silk threads have been used to generate the background and outlines have been added to provide details of the vases, tree branches, and griffins.

Dimensions

width: 71cm
height: 23cm

Materials

Stitches

Techniques

Motifs

Catalogue number

RSN.332
© Royal School of Needlework