A European Narrative Old Testament Biblical Needlework panel early 17th century and later

worked in polychrome wools and silks on canvas, with Old Testament narrative scenes of the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8-24), set within a landscape setting with distant buildings, the top centre with a fruiting tree (tree of the knowledge of good and evil), within a fenced enclosure, with stylised clouds with winged cherubim flanking the tree, and angel with sword guarding the tree, and the figures of  Adam and Eve are shown being expelled from the garden, and later shown in clothing of animal skins with Adam at toil with a hoe, and Eve resting while two children, perhaps Canin and Abel play and warm themselves at the fire, the panel incorporating animals, stag, lion, goat, sheep and rabbits, insects, snail and birds all of similar dimension, worked with a yellow ground, with associated four-sided 16th century outer border, with scrolling fruiting vines (canvas showing in areas);

Related Literature:
Lanto Synge, Art of Embroidery, History of Style and Technique, The Royal School of Needlework, The Collectors Club, London, 2001, Chp. 5, The Seventeenth Century, pp. 110-159.

Thomasina Beck, Gardening with Silk and Gold, A History of Gardens in Embroidery, Published by David and Charles, 1997, Chp.1&2, Elizabethan and Stuart Gardens, for discussion of the subject and techniques.

 

This panel is lined and has Velcro on four-sides. This panel has been finely worked. Colourful piece. There is later repair which appears as the musk pink colour, in areas. For example the grass of the enclosure and the highlights of some of animals. Some charming details and interesting historical piece. The outer four-sided border is associated and later addition to this panel. The border has areas of needlework lacking, as visible.
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