Antique Opus Anglicanum Medieval Orphrey Embroidery Madonna and Child: C16th England

Its rare to find embroideries of this age outside museum collections. A 16th century orphrey band (an embroidered decorative strip from a historic ecclesiastical vestment like a chasuble or cope), featuring a haloed Virgin and Child standing beneath an elaborate Gothic architectural canopy shaped like a multi-towered castle or gateway.

Fine metallic gold- and silver-gilt thread couched onto a linen base, combined with colored silk threads in split and short stitches for the figures and architectural details.

A detailed late-Gothic superstructure resembling a fortified medieval castle with blue-roofed conical towers, and arched windows crenellations, with arched windows capping the niche.

This style of luxury needlework strongly mirrors Opus Anglicanum ("English work") or contemporary Flemish and North European workshop styles from the 15th to 16th centuries, created using a luxury technique known as goldwork or or nué (shaded gold).

The panel depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child. Mary is shown with a radiantly stitched golden halo, looking downward toward Jesus. Christ is cradled in her arms, wearing a decorated garment.

Above the Madonna and Child is an intricate, stylized gothic castle or fortress canopy, detailed with blue and red battlements, towers, and spires. In medieval Christian iconography, a fortress or castle surrounding the Virgin often symbolizes the Turris Davidica (Tower of David) or Civitas Dei (City of God), representing her purity, spiritual strength, and role as a protector.

The piece is rendered with extraordinary skill, combining metallic gold threads (often gilded silver).

Measurements:
Outer edges mount board: 51 x 26cm
Embroidery: 42 x 22cm

Condition:
In good condition for an embroidery of this antiquity. Overall wear, rubs and losses as you would expect. We have professionally mounted the embroidery on an antique linen. In the photos we show what it would look like in an antique wooden frame. The frame is not included.