TWO MEDIEVAL OPUS ANGLICANUM EMBROIDERED ECCLESIASTICAL VERTICAL FRAGMENTS, ENGLISH, LATE 14TH CENTURY

TWO MEDIEVAL OPUS ANGLICANUM EMBROIDERED ECCLESIASTICAL VERTICAL FRAGMENTS, ENGLISH, LATE 14TH CENTURY

probably originally part of a vestment orphrey band, one worked with figure of St Anne with Mary as a child, and the other possibly of St Etheldreda (Ethelthrith), Abbess of Ely, with her crosier, both worked with silks in split stitch with a diapered gold ground, within foliate niches, mounted next to each other in a glazed frame

Glazed Frame: 48 by 48cm; 2ft. 1in., 2ft. 10in.

Condition Report:
Glazed frame: 48cm. high, 48cm. wide
Each vertical motif: approximately 34.5cm. high, 16.3cm. wide

These are fragments which would have been part of large panels, probably from an orphrey panel and therefore would have been a long vertical panel used around the neck and hanging down. These pieces are relatively finely worked. There is a nick from the top right corner of the panel with the single figure (St. Etheldreda), as visible in the photograph. The colours are faded but evenly and therefore consistent appearance. The ground includes gilt thread within the niche, and silvered threads in the ground of the top section behind the leaf motif, the silver being tarnished and therefore a little dark in appearance, but the gilt thread still having sparkle when it catches the light.

Despite faded and therefore now muted colours, these are in good condition for their age.
Evocative pieces from an important period for English embroidery.
They have been well mounted.

"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."