Antique 17th Century Italian Embroidered Altar Panel Evangelist Luke

This is a spectacular religious textile, which incorporates fine silk embroidery with heavy metallic embroidery. It is Italian and dates from the mid to late seventeenth century (1650-1700). The outer design is worked onto richly textured crimson silk velvet, and there is a large circular hand drawn and embroidered central figural panel. There is a manuscript signature on the center back beneath the figural panel.

The large (9" in diameter) medallion holds a beautiful depiction of the Apostle Luke, with pen in hand and the symbolic bull to his left. The design began with an original hand drawn image. While the the most part of the image unfolds to us with richly colored embroidery threads, the face and hands have been left without embroidery, with facial details drawn in ink. The hands of Luke are also bare of thread and are outlined with a single brown embroidery strand. The eyes, nose and center face of the bull are left to the background fabric as well with hand drawn detailing in ink. The robes of Luke are richly embroidered in cinnamon, blue and gold threads (some missing bits of embroidery). The book is worked in sage and hunter green with gilt metallic braid. There are single strands of gilt metallic braid which run horizontally behind the figure, which appear to float above the fabric. There are bits of blue and navy embroidery threads behind this which would have created a sky background.

Surrounding the figural scene is a 1/2" wide frame which is worked in a basket weave stitch using metallic gilt threads. The extravagant outer frame, surrounding the medallion, is worked on crimson silk with gilt metallic threads and coils. Each arabesque and flower has padding underneath and they are heavily worked in gilt and silver. Additional detailing to the flowers are executed in sage green and deep blue embroidery threads. The raised design, placed on the sumptuous velvet background create an incredibly rich and extravagant design. The panel is finished with a 1 3/4" wide braid border. This is worked using gilt metallic thread with cording running underneath to create a very textural pattern.

On the reverse side, we see the background, which is of very fine linen. The many threads, where the applique and foreground was sewn onto the field, are visible. There is a signature at the center (The first name begins with an "L" but the rest is difficult to make out). and a fancy "chiffre" (stylized "L" with a small "D" inside)

It measures 19 1/4" x 20 1/4". It is in amazing condition in consideration to the advanced age. The outer embroidered design: some light bits of wear wear to nap of velvet (background fabric showing through) Threads raising up in a few places on the metallic and silk embroidered arabesques and flowers. The central panel has lifting threads along the halo, bits of embroidery missing in the vestments. Throughout the design are bits of missing threads, background bits showing, cording showing through on the outer braid, all of which are typical of a textile of this age.