A floral silk embroidered and metal-thread altar frontal (Antependium), Italian, second half of 17th century

Property from the Berkeley Collection at Spetchley Park

A floral silk embroidered and metal-thread altar frontal (Antependium), Italian, second half of 17th century

finely worked in polychrome silk threads, exuberant flowers, centered along lower edge is a fountain with a dolphin support, flanked by two parrots, on a heavily silver couched ground incorporating hatching and strapwork

approximately 103cm. high, 214cm wide; 3ft. ⅘in. high, 7ft. wide