Description
Embroidery is the process of creating decorations with needle and thread on textiles, leather, or other surfaces. It is an art that has existed since humans first began using fabrics. Embroidery has been applied to fabrics worldwide since at least 3000 BC. In Europe, during the Middle Ages, clothing for ecclesiastical use (known as vestments) was embroidered. This was usually done with silk thread on a silk or linen background. A large number of these vestments have been preserved, both in museums and in some churches. Embroidery for bourgeois use was also produced during this period. A limited number of these embroideries have survived (e.g., alms bags). The rise of silk production in Italy in the 15th century significantly increased the production of luxury embroidered goods in northern Europe. The motifs applied to the various objects were often intricate and highly detailed.
