This altar dossal is the final item of a group of important 17th century ecclesiastical embroideries given to the Museum by Peter Barker-Mill (d.1994). It was received as a bequest after the death of his wife, who had a life interest in it. It is associated with the altar frontal T.108-1963, dated 1633, and the two are likely to have been commissioned by Henry 5th Baron Sandys of the Vyne. The exceptional quality and technique of the embroidery on this piece suggest that it was worked by Edmund Harrison, the King’s Embroiderer, and can be compared with the smaller picture of the Nativity in the V&A’s collection T.147-1930 signed by him.
The print source for the dossal has been identified as an engraving of The Last Supper circa 1590, by Hieronymous Wierix (c.1553-1619) after Otto van Veen (1556-1629).
Historical significance: This altar dossal and the 1633 frontal date from the period when William Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud laid great emphasis on the restoration of beauty and dignity to church decoration and worship. In the 1630s many entries in churchwardens’ accounts refer to the refurbishment of altars and pulpits and the provision of rich textiles for church furnishings. The dossal joins the frontal as our most exceptional examples of English church textiles of this period.
ecrm:P3_has_note
This altar dossal is the final item of a group of important 17th century ecclesiastical embroideries given to the Museum by Peter Barker-Mill (d.1994). It was received as a bequest after the death of his wife, who had a life interest in it. It is associated with the altar frontal T.108-1963, dated 1633, and the two are likely to have been commissioned by Henry 5th Baron Sandys of the Vyne. The exceptional quality and technique of the embroidery on this piece suggest that it was worked by Edmund Harrison, the King’s Embroiderer, and can be compared with the smaller picture of the Nativity in the V&A’s collection T.147-1930 signed by him.
The print source for the dossal has been identified as an engraving of The Last Supper circa 1590, by Hieronymous Wierix (c.1553-1619) after Otto van Veen (1556-1629).
Historical significance: This altar dossal and the 1633 frontal date from the period when William Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud laid great emphasis on the restoration of beauty and dignity to church decoration and worship. In the 1630s many entries in churchwardens’ accounts refer to the refurbishment of altars and pulpits and the provision of rich textiles for church furnishings. The dossal joins the frontal as our most exceptional examples of English church textiles of this period.