Table cover

The geometrical pattern of the drawn thread-work is heavily stylized. The looped, broken line of the tendril motif is decorated with opposing bushes of flowers. Drawn thread-work, like cross-stitch embroidery, is closely related to Renaissance designs of European pattern-books in fact, they were used continuously for 150 years and little of Oriental influence can be detected in them. Later variations of these motifs can even be found in 19th century Hungarian folklore embroidery. This tablecloth was sewn together at a later date the embroidered parts originally might have been decorations on aprons. Aprons such as these are worn by Margit Forgács, wife of Petrus Mederus and her daughter in their 1664 portrait.