V&A Museum to showcase intricate Medieval embroidery in new exhibition

Potbellied dragons and gilded lions sticking out their tongue

London’s Victoria & Albert Museum is to exhibit ‘surviving examples of exquisite craftsmanship’ in English Medieval embroidery, encompassing gold, silver and pearl work fit for, and indeed used by, a king.

Artifacts at Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery will include a gold lion-emblazoned silk thrown over a king’s horse and opulent slippers taken from a bishop when his tomb was opened after 600 years.

The Vatican has also provided some pieces on loan, which were commissioned by Pope Innocent IV after he coveted the regal garments being worn by English bishops.

The secular items in the collection are particularly rare.

“Ninety percent of what survives today comes from churches where pieces were often carefully stored, but the secular pieces were worn out or cut up,” co-curator Clare Browne said.

The exhibition’s Latin title - which means ‘English work’ - is designed to show how England led in the field, and was a bit of a gamble.

“We were a bit worried that people would find the title baffling,” Browne said. “Older people thought that younger people would find it off-putting – but in fact younger people thought it was mysterious and exciting.”

Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery, from 1 October 2016 – 5 February 2017. Support generously provided by The Ruddock Foundation for the Arts.