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Antependium with Throne of Grace and the Symbols of the Four Evangelists (Iceland)

Antependium from Iceland with the Throne of Grace and the symbols for the four evangelists. Iceland, late 16th century. Antependium from Iceland with the Throne of Grace and the symbols for the four evangelists. Iceland, late 16th century. Copyright National Museum Twenthe, acc. no. 0241.

The National Museum Twenthe (The Netherlands) houses a late sixteenth century antependium that is embroidered with representations of the Throne of Mercy (or Throne of Grace) and the symbols of the four evangelists. The antependium is a good example of traditional Icelandic embroidery.

This antependium can be compared with another antependium now in the National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik, which has representations of three bishops and which  was made with laidwork and couching. The antependium in the Twenthe Museum measures 93.2 x 80 cm and is made of linen with woollen embroidery threads, comparable to the antependium in the Reykjavik museum.

National Museum Twenthe online catalogue (retrieved 25 October 2016).

WV

Last modified on Tuesday, 25 October 2016 18:18