Square (Germany), 14th century

Fragment from an altar frontal in coarse cream-colored linen embroidered in silk in red, light green, light blue, and white. In the center field, the Crucifixion: Christ on the cross with bowed head, with blood dripping from the hands and three red cuts across the body. A figure appears on each side, possibly St. John the Baptist on the right and Mary with a sword at her breast on the left; both figures wear long straight robes with simple geometric patterns. Christ’s face appears to be re-worked, and that of St. John is very worn. With a deep border of curving vines with three-lobed leaves. At corners are winged beasts with tails (wyverns).