A paisley hijab viewed from the bus

A paisley hijab in a cafe - glimpsed from the bus on Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush. Brings some grace to an otherwise gritty scene...

Feathers and Maison Lemarie

 Was so stunned and excited by these samples of work with feathers by Maison Lemarie on display at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, that the photos are pretty hopeless. (Hand shake?!)
You are basically taken by surprise by the fact that they are feathers: they are so cleverly worked that they look like something else completely - ethereal and exotic.

The world's most expensive lace at the Bowes Museum

Exquisite lace at the Bowes Museum, County Durham.
Here the world's most expensive lace at the time - raised needlelace from Venice, dating from the 17th century.

This is what it would have looked like on a dress.  A fabulous costume section at the Museum - details of a temporary exhibition by artist Sarah Casey here.

Strook naaldkant in Antwerp

Took me ages to find the translation for strook naaldkant - but could have guessed - it's raised needlepoint. At the Museum Mayer van den Bergh in Antwerp.
Love the narrative in this - a man and a woman out walking dogs.
!6th century Italian.

A linen press chez Rubens

 Linen a status symbol in 17th century Antwerp - this linen press in Rubens' house (now a museum). The linen press and linen cupboard therefore hugely important.
Pressed linen is still something of a luxury! Though the sheets at the hotel on the enormous bed are not linen they are so well pressed - and part of the pleasure of staying in a hotel.
This one really reasonable and conveniently close to the station.

Silk, Veronese and a street market in Venice

Wonderful to see Veronese's dazzling ceiling paintings of Saint Esther at San Sebastiano (VEroniese's parish church) in Venice.....the usual stormy skies and swirling rich fabrics.... then this heap of brocades in a nearby street stall....

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Quilted embroidery and tales of Tristan

Wrote about this some years ago - but on Sunday actually saw the quilt of Tristan and his adventures at the V&A.  It is huge, so much bigger than I expected. And the stitches have survived perfectly: the colour has faded, of course, so in one sense it is impossible to imagine how this 14th century quilt looked originally. Almost 900 years ago.  Such lively scenes.

Folding stone

Stone carving on a tomb in the V&A - folds of stone cloth falling gently from the body. A foot pressing into a cushion and the spur falling off to the side.... Feet in death - why do they feature so prominently in sculpture? Memories of Christ's nailed to the Cross, I guess.

An embellished tapestry

Love this embellished tapestry....

A name day present in the Warsaw Uprising Museum

Not my best photograph but was struck by this name day present to a Colonel in the Warsaw Uprising from his subordinates. A message is embroidered on it.

Created in extreme circumstances with little at hand. Embroidery making a powerful statement.

The Warsaw Uprising in 1944 was a 63-struggle to liberate the city from the Nazis. It failed despite heroic efforts. The Germans subsequently razed most of the city - hard to imagine but these colour photographs give an idea.

 

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