Table Cover (Spain), 18th century

Cream-colored linen table cover, with wide border designs worked in polychrome silks of pale green, yellow, pale rose, light blue, dark blue and dark green. Edged with border of dark green needle lace. Design made up of detached motifs of a leaf or feather pattern, much used in Spanish embroidery; at ends on inner border of curving vines enclosing birds holding flower in beak, and crowned lion. Stitches, largely satin stitch; bodies of animals outline in contrasting colors in chain stitch. Soft floss silk used.