PAIR OF PORTUGUESE WALL HANGINGS

A pair of striking and decorative wallhangings. This type of brocade-based appliqué, like its contemporaries, the bizarre silks of England, France and Italy, fell out of fashion by the middle of the 18th century. As they were expensive, they usually ended up being donated to the church where they were used in the making of religious articles or in some cases such as in this pair, documented, inventoried and saved whole.

Highly saturated orange brocade with silver brocade appliqué featuring a symmetrical floral design. The borders of the silver brocade are lined with gilt wrapped silk cord.