Embroideries

Embroidery is one of the oldest and most widespread art form: needle, thread and a basis are enough to realize it.
It independently spreads in the most important cultural eastern and western centres.

The two Byzantine embroideries are the only antique cloths for liturgical use remaining in the basilica.
The oldest one, dates from the period between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the following century, portray the scene of the Mourning of the dead Christ, laying on the unction stone,the other one with two archangels was maybe produced in Venice.
The embroideries were made on silk fabric in various shades of purple with gold and silver threads, then embellished with stones, pearls and vitreous pastes.
The fragility of the materials required restorations to the fabrics and embroideries over the years.

In the mid-eighteenth century, the cloths underwent restorations that altered their original consistency. The remaining parts of original embroidery were removed to pieces of yellow taffeta and supplemented with embroidery in polychrome silks.

Byzantine embroidery
Lament over the dead Christ
Byzantine art, late 12th-early 13th century

Byzantine embroidery
The two archangels
Venetian art, first quarter of 13th century (post 1214)