19th century
In addition to the yellow, green, and blue threads, silver is used in this lithurgical embroidered textile. The middle displays the lamb holding the cross or a column in a sun burst circle surrounded with twelve angles. An Armenian inscription written in a square format frames the middle section. According to the inscription, it is from Arapgir, and made for the Cathedral of the Mother of God.There are crosses in the axes and cherubims in the corners. A double layer of ships and churches complete the decoration on the edges. There are several repairs and stains. Similar embroidered textiles are found in the treasures of the Armenian Orthodox Churches of Istanbul and are dated to the first half the 19th century.
89 x 92 cm (35 1/16 x 36 1/4 in.)
Blue silk with supplementary red silk and gold wefts
19th centuryThaiSilk in 'kesi' tapestry weave, selected elements woven with metallic silver threads
19th centuryChineseLinen warp with wool weft
20th centuryPolishSilk, cotton, and metal-wrapped silk
16th-17th centuryOttomanSilk on cotton
20th centuryAfghanSilk
19th centuryUzbekWool and linen, tapestry woven and plain woven
5th centuryByzantineMetal thread embroidery on silk
20th centuryOttomanVelvet
Italian