Your basket is currently empty!

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, MEDATS and S.E.W.
Blog categories
-
Book Review: Ecclesiastical Embroidery Techniques & Projects
Mary Corbet’s enthusiastic book review of “Ecclesiastical Embroidery Techniques & Projects” by Heather Lewis prompted me to order the book through my local bookstore. Check out Mary’s blog for an inside look at the book. I finally got the call yesterday that the book had arrived. At €42,50… Read More
-
Medieval Goldwork Embroidery in Anagni, Italy
Over the past couple of weeks, we have explored several pieces of medieval goldwork embroidery housed in the Cathedral Treasury of Anagni, Italy. Around AD 1300, Pope Boniface VIII gifted his hometown Cathedral spectacular Opus anglicanum, Opus cyprense and Opus romanum paraments. He also gave a beautifully embroidered… Read More
-
Opus Romanum: medieval goldwork embroidery from Rome?
This week, we will look at an Opus romanum antependium from the late 13th century kept in the Cathedral treasury of Anagni, Italy. Just like with the Opus cyprense goldwork embroideries from last week, their provenance isn’t as clear-cut as the name Opus romanum suggests. This antependium was… Read More
-
Opus Cyprense: Medieval Goldwork Embroidery from Cyprus?
Where does Opus cyprense medieval goldwork embroidery come from? Simple question, right? After all, Opus anglicanum comes from England, and Opus teutonicum comes from Germany. Thus, Opus cyprense should come from Cyprus! Maybe. Medieval and later church inventories do mention vestments as being Opus cyprense. However, there has… Read More
-
Medieval Goldwork Embroidery Tutorial: Fancy Golden Border
This week’s medieval goldwork embroidery tutorial is based on the lovely cope from Hulst, which I wrote about earlier. The border around the orphrey panels is geometric and highly textured. It would look good in any modern piece of goldwork embroidery. As always, my Journeyman and Master Patrons… Read More
-
Dutch Late Medieval Goldwork Embroidery: a chasuble cross
Last week, I probably located a beautiful late medieval goldwork embroidery cope in the Dommuseum Frankfurt to its original church in the Netherlands. This week, I will introduce you to a stunning chasuble cross in the Diocesan Museum Osnabrück, Germany. This is one of these pieces of high-end… Read More