Stuffs Used in the Middle Ages

Stuffs Used In The Middle Ages.

— The names Damask, Sarcenet (Saracenorum opus), Sypers (cloth of Cyprus), and Levantine brocades, of silver and gold, made in the Lebanon; Orphreys, "the gold of Phrygia;" Attalic robes, splendid cloths of Asia Minor; and the embroidery, veils, silks, and cloths of Alexandria, bespeak the place of manufacture. Byzantium was also a considerable producer. The earlier patterns are Byzantine, with flowing and geometrical designs, animals, and birds. In the 13th century arms of donors were introduced, and in the 14th century splendid borders, representing saints, angels, and evangelists, were added to vestments. In England, embroidery of Alexandria, Indian samit, color de Painaz, Turkey work, cloth of Antioch, Tripolis, Tartaryn, Tiretaine, cloth of Tyre (so called from its bright tint), Tarsus, India, Tarse de Nak, Tuly, Inde di Gangi, and Moire de Tarse are mentioned as used in vestments, all being of Eastern importation.