Brustflect designs illuminated

An example of a gold brustflect with a blackwork floral design. The blackwork design is matched by the design on the guards of the dress except in the case of portraits of Katharina von Bora. (Mary Magdalene, Cranach the Elder, 1525)

An example of a gold on gold brustflect. These are typically made of a floral brocade. Some of the brustflects have a dark edging, some are adorned with pearls along the top edge. (Young man and old woman with girl, 1545-1550)

Pearl work on gold with a central motif and floral work / spirals. Motif is different than that depicted on dress guards. (Salome, Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1530).

An example of pearlwork on gold mounted on black. The pearls in these brustflects appear to have been mounted on black cord, or surrounded by blackwork. (Portrait of a Young Woman, Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1530)

An example of pearlwork on gold, diamond shapes without a central motif. These diamonds also have a sort of star or knot design at the junctions of the diamonds. Typically these brustflects are made of a different fabric than the guards.