purplefigtree:
Lampas-weave silk, Spain, 14th century.
The pattern, which appears continuous, has been adapted to the system of ‘repeats’ needed to produce a textile. Each design unit contains an eight-pointed star, a quatrefoil
and two roundels. The compartments they form are filled with a variety of smaller motifs, from interlace patterns in green or blue to tiny knots and fleurs-de-lis.
Textiles with geometrical interlace of this type were mainly produced in southern Spain and North Africa. This example was probably made in south-west Spain in the 14th century, perhaps in Granada, which was the capital of the Muslim Nasrid dynasty from about 1232 to 1492.
Such silks were not only used in Spain. They seem also to have been popular in Italy. This piece formed part of a hanging behind a large wooden statue of the Virgin Mary in Florence. It was bought there in the 19th century. (V&A)
