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

Emese PÁSZTOR - Márta TÓTH - Anikó PATAKI - Andrea VÁRFALVI: Turkish Cases from the Esterházy Treasury

was laid on. On either side of the motifs the skófium twine was sewn to the velvet using yellow silk thread; accordingly, on the wrong side of the embroidery we encounter the loose ends of the silk threads only. The large-size plantain motifs were executed using zerduz embroidery,

4

5 and the couching stitches holding it down had the shape of cells or half-wedges. The motifs were contoured with metallic cord, after which the silk taffeta was cut round along the edges of the motifs. Using a microscope, remains of the taffeta and traces of the drawing could be clearly seen next to the contours of the motifs. The petals of the flowers as well as the leaves and the stalks are covered by metalwire embroidery, and in the middle of the flowers yellowish and greenish silk fabric insets can be observed (fig. 1/4). Condition of the artefact before restoration All three layers of leather had shrivelled and were heavily soiled, while the back panel had become rock hard. The thinner leather used for lining had not hardened completely; its condition became truly apparent only after the dismantling of the artefact. The back was mottled with light-coloured, lime-like deposits and with rust stains; on its middle section a pronounced, curved depression has taken shape. Marks in a lengthways direction made by arrows were observable on it, indicating that when the bow-case was made it was used as an arrow-case. The later impairments together affected the case and the arrows in it. The embroidered velvet covering and its thin leather lining were stuck together 83