Spanish, Alpujarra
Lace Altar Frontal with Eight-Petaled Blossoms and Carnations, about 1550-1600
Plain weave linen with drawnwork , 61 x 297.2 cm (24 x 117 in.)
General admission for children 17 years and under is always free
Spanish white, square, plain weave linen altar frontal. There is drawnwork lace horizontally along both ends of the textile, separated by a small band of linen in between one large and one small piece of drawnwork. The large drawnwork pattern centers around a vase with flowers growing out of it. On either side of the vase are larger vases filled with flowers and surrounded by geometric designs. Below the central vase are two birds on either side of it. Below the birds is a stag. The smaller drawnwork pattern consists of alternating flowers and birds. At the edge of both ends of the frontal is long fringe.
Spanish Chapel
Commentary
Although Gardner enjoyed selecting the laces in her collection herself, this large altar frontal was a birthday gift from her friend Dodge Macknight. In a letter accompanying the altar frontal, Macknight wrote “I would rather give it to you than sell it to anyone else.”