A Cretan silk embroidered coverlet

Washington, D.C., The Textile Museum, Embroideries of the Greek Islands, 2006

S. Krody, Embroideries of the Greek Islands, Washington D.C., The Textile Museum, 2006, fig. 1.7, pp. 28-29

Linen ground embroidered in silk in mixed stitches. Embroidery generally intact with minor pulling and small losses in very few areas. Scattered spot stains. Original sides and ends intact. Good overall condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Cretan embroidery is distinguishable from other Greek island embroideries by its large variety of colors and the use of a wide array of different stitches within the same textile. Whereas works from nearly all other Greek islands employ only one or two types of stitching in one piece, Cretans executed their embroideries, such as the lot offered here, with a mixture of feather, herringbone, satin, knot, chain, stem and other stitches. Colors preferred by the people of Crete are red, green, blue, numerous shades of yellow, brown, black and white. Based on their color palette, Cretan embroideries can be divided into two categories: polychrome and monochrome. Embroideries in the monochrome style can be characterized by the use of a single color, which is most often red or dark blue, whereas those belonging to the polychrome category, such as this lot, employ a large variety of color. The density of the design and the complex arrangement of interconnecting individual 'scenes' are also hallmarks of this latter group and are well exemplified in this coverlet. The large format of this embroidery further lends itself to a highly intricate composition, which can be only partially achieved when attempted in smaller textiles, such as towels or articles of clothing. Some of the individual motifs incorporated into the composition, such as the double-headed eagle and other fantastical birds, derive from Italian Renaissance prototypes and their use in embroidery dates back to the period before Crete was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1669, when Venice ruled the island. As suggested by Sumru Belger Krody in Embroideries of the Greek Islands, this lot was most probably intended to be used as a bed spread or cover. Beds were among the most prominent furnishings in the Aegean household and were often lavishly dressed to show the wealth of the family and to exhibit the abilities of its female members as embroiderers and therefore good housekeepers. Bed covers such as this lot were supplemented with pillow cases, valances and curtains fastened above and around the bed, sometimes embroidered en suite. The tradition of using lavish bed covers and curtains is not unique to Crete or the Greek Isles and it can be found throughout Europe, however it is uncertain whether this custom was introduced by the Venetians or their predecessor, the Byzantine Empire. Whatever the origin might be, the current lot is unquestionably a tour de force of Cretan embroidery and its fine execution, extremely large array of design elements and excellent condition make it a highly attractive and rare piece of textile art. A very much comparable coverlet of similar quality and design was sold Sotheby's New York, 1 October 1998, lot 93. A detail from a related example with the Textile Gallery was illustrated Hali issue 98, p. 147, fig. 16.