All That Glisters Goldwork

This image shows a detail of a ciborium (a chalice-like vessel) veil, we think stitched in South Germany in the 18th century. The white silk ground cloth is decorated with metal in a variety of forms including silver-gilt thread, purl, plate and sequins, with some coloured silk threads, in laid and couched work and long and short stitches. It is thought that this superb embroidery must be from a professional workshop. 22 cm high. EG1983.294