Medieval Goldwork Embroidery Blog by the Acupictrix

Cartoon of a medieval lady embroidering Medieval Goldwork Embroidery.

Medieval Splendour in gold thread and silk

The Acupictrix, alias Dr Jessica Grimm, writes a weekly blog on medieval goldwork embroidery and related topics.

Dr Jessica Grimm is a member of Centre International d’Etude des Textiles Ancienes (CIETA), Bundesverband Kunsthandwerk, and S.E.W.

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15th century, France, Sankt Annen Museum Lübeck

Embroidered vestments of Gdańsk’s St Mary’s Church part III

The past two weeks, we have looked at two beautifully embroidered vestments from the Cathedral Treasury of Gdańsk, Poland. The first one was a white chasuble with Bohemian embroidery, and the second one was a red chasuble with locally produced embroidery. Both chasubles are on permanent display in… Read More
15th century, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Germany

Embroidered vestments of Gdańsk’s St Mary’s Church part II

Last week, we looked at the first of a series of embroidered vestments from the Cathedral Treasury of St Mary’s in Gdańsk. This week, I have another one for you, featuring whimsical angels. The chasuble cross was likely embroidered in an embroidery workshop in Gdańsk around AD 1430.… Read More
15th century, Bohemia, Germanisches Nationalmuseum

Embroidered vestments of Gdańsk’s St Mary’s Church

Last week, I reviewed the long-awaited catalogue on the textiles of the Halberstadt Cathedral Treasury. Another Cathedral Treasury with many embroidered vestments from the late medieval period is now divided between Germany and Poland. As in Halberstadt, the textiles of Gdańsk’s St Mary’s Church had survived in the… Read More
Books

Book Review: Die Textilien im Domschatz zu Halberstadt

On Saturday morning, a very large and heavy parcel arrived. It contained the five-part catalogue of the Cathedral Treasury of Halberstadt. In the making since 2011, they are now finally out in the open. As the books can only be bought as a set, it is quite a… Read More
16th century, Domschatz Fritzlar, Germany, Stumpwork

Medieval Stumpwork: a chasuble at Domschatz Fritzlar

After having shown you a chasuble cross and a chasuble with outstanding medieval stumpwork, you might feel a little disappointed with this week’s chasuble from Domschatz Fritzlar. Although perhaps not immediately apparent, the embroidery, likely made around AD 1500 in Germany, is actually quite unique. It combines mass-produced… Read More
16th century, Domschatzmuseum Chur, Stumpwork, Switzerland

Medieval Stumpwork: a chasuble at Domschatzmuseum Chur

Last week, we examined a medieval stumpwork chasuble cross from the Domschatzmuseum Chur in Switzerland. This week, I have a very special stumpwork chasuble for you, which is also on display at the Domschatzmuseum Chur. So far, scholars have mainly been interested in the pseudo-Arabic silk fabric of… Read More