Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 27. (Budapest, 2009)

Enikő SIPOS: Hungarian-Related Textile Works in Switzerland

embroidered figures of Saint Andrew, Saint John the Baptist and the Apostle Paul on the right, and Saint Agnes, Saint Catherine and the Apostle Peter on the left. Saint Andrew and Saint Agnes are in prominent position, closest to the group around the Cross. The two lateral bordures were decorated with roses, bluebells and oak leaves on a red silk base. The litde mount on which the Cross stands is interesting for iconographical reasons (fig. 11). Inside the mount a lion turns towards its three cubs, which comes from the bestiary talc where the lion gives birth to dead cubs, and on the third day their father brings them to life by puffing in their faces. In the Middle Ages this was believed to be a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ.

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1 The underlying fabric of the antependium is red velvet, to which the figures, each 70 cm tall, were appliquéd. The embroideries are split stitch in coloured silk and silver and gold thread on a linen cloth underlying material with a lining of parchment. The metal threads were sewn to the underlying fabric in various geometrical patterns (rhombus, plait, meander) imitating weaving, using silk thread. The completed embroideries were appliquéd to the underlying velvet latterly, with parchment linings. The pedestals and capitals of the columns in the arcades, as well as the turrets, the halo of the Lamb and the lining of the cloak of Mary and Saint John the Evangelist were covered with a gold-coloured foil, most of which has worn off (fig. 14). Under the Cross, the coats of the lion cubs are made up of real pearls. The lateral fringes were made from three pieces each. On a silk underlying fabric and a parchment lining, the plant tendrils and flowers are embroidered in silk and metal thread. 13. Detail from the antependium, Saint Agnes with silk and metal embroidery 143