The Maaseik Embroideries: A Technical Analysis

This post is a little different to my previous videos. Here, I give a talk and presentation about technical details I discovered when I analysed the eight embroideries now known as the Maaseik embroideries.
These eight embroideries now housed in St Catherine's Church in Masseik, Belgium, and date to between the late 8th and 9th centuries CE. There are two roundel bands, two arcade strips and four monograms. All eight pieces are hand embroidered in gold and silk threads. They are worked in stem stitch and goldwork surface couching.
All the embroideries are associated with sister saints Harlindis and Relindis, who founded an abbey church in the nearby town of Aldeneik in the 8th century. They were discovered attached to a composite casula (chasuble) in 1867 but this was not their original function. It is thought they were made in early medieval England and how they got to Aldeneik is still a mystery, although I have suggested a possible way in my book (see below). The embroideries and casula were first analysed in 1951. They were then re-analysed as part of a British Academy project between 1979 and the mid-1980s and I was given permission and access to study them in 2014.
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You can read about these embroideries in my book, 'The Lost Art of the Anglo-Saxon World: the sacred and secular power of embroidery'.
www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Art-Ang...
In an earlier video, you can check out some of the goldwork:
• A glimpse at goldwork ...
You can also learn more about the goldwork techniques used on the Cuthbert maniple here: • STITCH FOCUS | Couchin...
All microscopic images are ©Alexandra Makin.
All images of the Maaseik embroideries with thanks to the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Brussels.
Microscopic image of the Cuthbert stole with the kind permissions of Ushaw College.
Images of the Cuthbert stole and maniple with kind permission of Durham Cathedral.
Dr Alexandra Makin
Early Medieval Embroidery
#embroidery #embroider #goldwork #textiles #alexandramakin

[@marionmccrindle8407]

Really fascinating talk - very well structured, clear and highly informative. More please!

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Thank you! I really appreciate that. I'm working on the next presentation or two so watch this space.

[@carlabowlin8313]

Loved your presentation and analysis. Very interesting. So astounding the size of the embroidered.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

That's great to hear, thank you. I know, the size of embroidery from this period is one of the things that fascinates me.

[@a.fagelson1212]

Best description I've seen of these embroideries. Please make more videos like this.

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Wow! That's fantastic. Thank you! I'll start researching the next one, so keep an eye out for it

[@starpaws55]

Yes please

[@kimjay2380]

Fascinating to listen to you. Incredible how such small and intricate work was done at a time when there was only daylight and candles, and presumably no eye glasses. Did they have magnifying glasses of some sort?

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Thank you. Now you’re asking a question! We have no proper evidence for this period. There has been speculation about rock and other crystals that have been smoothed into flat surfaces or made into balls. These have been found in some female graves, as well as other settings, but no-one has tested the theory yet. I’d love to though. Maybe in the future

[@AcupictrixDrJessicaGrimm]

Loved the presentation! Could it perhaps be that they tried to hide a damaged goldthread under the extra couching stitches?

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Thanks! Now that's something I hadn't thought of. I'll have to look into that. I'll let you know what I find

[@katienewell7350]

This was fascinating! I'd love to see more stuff like this please! 😍

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

I'm so please you enjoyed the post. Great that you'd like to see more. I'll start researching the next one so watch this space...

[@katienewell7350]

@@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery can't wait!

[@yin_xing]

Keep the good work

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Thank you. Will do. I'm working on the next one now and I'm hoping to get it out soon.

[@BlueaxeReproductions]

Brilliant; would particularly love recorded presentations like this!

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Great! I'll start reasearching some then. Watch this space

[@michaelaschmid]

Fascinating! I always learn so much from your videos. 2mm stitch length 😱

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Thank you; I'm so glad to hear that. I know, the stitch lengths are madness, aren't they

[@shelaghlewins]

Hiya, do you know if anyone has published a detailed analysis of the brocaded tablet-woven bands that are used as edging on the embroideries?

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Hmmmm, not off the top of my head. Leave it with me and I'll ask around.

[@joolsr9081]

Anglo Saxon embroidery 650-750. Bede era. See: Jarrow Hall current Heritage Skills project. I've been tasked with researching this period of embroidery. Thank you

[@EarlyMedievalEmbroidery]

Hi Jools. I've not forgotten to reply to you. Its been conference session so a bit busy but it's on my list, and I'm glad this video is a help.