Bidspirit auction | A large cushion cover from

A large cushion cover from Naxos, Cyclades, Greece - 18th century Red silk on linen 44 x 107 cm The very distinctive red embroideries of Naxos were produced by women of the Latin community of the island (probably nuns). They are characterized by the great richness of the designs, and the peculiarity of being embroidered in two directions in order to create two tones of red that alternate depending on the angle of light. James Trilling suggested that the models of the geometric designs are to be sought in Renaissance pattern books, such as Jacques Foillet's Nouveaux pourtraicts de point coupé (Montbéliard 1598). PROVENANCE private collection, Greece LITERATURE (comparative literature) Trilling (James) Aegean Crossroads. Greek Island Embroideries in the Textile Museum, The Textile Museum, Washington 1983, pp. 30-31, & 110, no. 28 (color plate 13). Belger Krody (Sumru) Embroidery of the Greek Islands and Epirus Region. Harpies, Mermaids, and Tulips, The Textile Museum, Washington, 2006, p. 48 & 140, no. 2.5. NOTE The border cut away on one side, with small pieces missing from the others, and minor repairs.