The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-16

The Metropolitan Museum Of Ar has
acquired some interesting specimens
OF what arc called "embroideries Of tho
Near East" and Miss r. Morris Of ne
STAFF has arranged them. She
writes that among the embroidered
fabrics that come to us from the Near
East none are more interesting than
those emanating from the A1gean. n,
has been particularly <or.
tunate OF late I'm acquiring some exec.
lent examples from Crete and Rhode
n group which not only marks point
I'm the migration of Oriental art whers.
despite the assimilation OF many diverse
elements, an individual type has been
maintained. but serves as well 10 es.
tablish a connecting link between n.
works OF Asia Minor and those NJ
western Europe.
The wealth Of embroideries acquired
by the museum In the gift of the Nc.
Callum collection presented In 1879 IN.
cluded many rich examples from Persia,
Mesopotamla and the Dardanelles do.
trict. which with the Phoenix collection
the basis OF the present department ~
textiles.
Among the Persian pieces we find the
same wealth of ornament and charm Of
color to which ono Is accustomed in tbs
Eastern carpets. In this embroidery
the material forming the foundation
as a rule entirely covered with . mass
OF stitchery. surface ornamentaton boz
ing first and last the sole aim OF no
Persian artisan. whether his medium 10
metal. faience or fabric, The few soo1
examples of needlework that remain %
us consist principally OF embroderei
squares or fragments OF wearing ar.
parel. The sumptuous extravaganza %
the Persian mobiles Is attested Ia tha
miniature portraits OF the slNteentn
century. which show figures CARRIED IN
richly embroidered coats and turoans
Two miniatures attributed 10 the scheo
OF Bihzad are apt illustrations Of ,hls,
| they are dated respectively 1900 ahi
1910, and in them the originals OF mo
| portraits wear long coats that are WIN
| out doubt of this style OF emhro!de''
The square IL. however. work Of la'e'
period. as Is evidenced by the nitrous.
| ton OF human figures and groups "
| fighting animals as motifs in the 0rT'
| mentation. In the earlier type shown
In the miniatures the pattern Is maN
up entirely OF conventionalized 0'
forms and delicately turned scrolls
| foliation.
Another style Of Persian work "
used in the baggy trousers Of tho ~
tional costume. This embroidery, 50
a mass OF solid needlework, ia usn'
designed in diagonal stripes compo''
OF minute floral motifs similar 10 no
patterns found in the borders % ea''.
mere shawls. style closely COPIED p,
Persia. still another variety IS foHHl
in some Of the embroidered cover u
which the design il either marF'uI
arabesque in feeling or combines
arabesque with conventionali1ed No'',,
forms, often the tulip. Several ~
these, owned by the museum
worked In the delightful blue aH'' -
tones found in Rhages pottery.
che work of Sicily. which Is perp"'
more widely distributed, again van.
in technique. the linen ground rorm!ht
the pattern by having the INTERVENE
spaces overworked with a solid co''I
Bands OF this kind OF embroidery re'e
in grotesques. groups OF dancing hgu'r,
interspersed with weird little anlf'a .
or again the Italian fountain nhhN-.
by grifins or supporting birds; IN i''
1t IS doubtful II in any other heu ~
art subject could DO found ina
} more replete with interest or thai u-
greater possibilities for fascinaans ~
search work.