Monday 27 August 2012

Blackwork ideas



From: Merlange, Germain.  Catalog of the Elsberg Collection of Egypto-Arabic Embroideries of the Mediaeval Period, The Bulletin of the Needle and Bobbin Club, Vol. 12, No. 1 (1928), #3

Image shows an image of a man riding a horse with what could be a falcon riding on his wrist. Egypto-Arabic. 9th-10th C. Found in Fayoum.

2 comments:

  1. Can I ask why you aren't trying to tapestry weave the cuff?

    It looks like a woolen tapestry cuff later sewn on to an even weave linen. I think a similar effect could be done by doing chain/split stitch, as I am not sure blackwork would work. Both of those stitches were used in Coptic Egypt at that time.

    I have posted a few other Coptic textiles, in colour that you may be interested in.

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  2. Mostly because I don't know how to tapestry weave and while it's on my list, it's far far down... somewhere near woodworking.

    I agree the cuff is probably woven and then sewn onto the garment. The reference indicates that some of the detail was later embroidered in 3 ply linen thread. I was thinking I'd work some of the details in holbein stitch and if I like it I'll fill in with coloured split stitch.

    I rather like the way the guy leading the horse has been posed. His hands look like they are reaching out to the viewer. That, and his head reminds me of a preying mantis.

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