Studio: international art (18.1900)

Arts and Crafts

EMBROIDERED PANEL BY MARY J. NEWILL

EXECUTED BY MARY J. NEWILL AND E. E. BLOXCEDGE

is a simple preparation of white of egg and
water. The gold-leaf is beaten specially, of the
finest quality, and double the ordinary thick-
ness ; and, last of all, the whole surface is bur-
nished all over. The effect, as may be supposed,
is far superior to that obtained by the modern
commercial methods. Mr. Gere has devoted his
attention with considerable success to designing
for yet another art—viz., embroidery. Two
specimens of needlework, both of them banners
for church use, have been executed by the
Misses Munn, of Madresfield, Worcestershire.
The first, exhibited at the New Gallery, was de-
signed and worked at the instance of Lord
Beauchamp for Worcester Cathedral. In the
upper part two angels; support a coat of arms,
while the lower extremities consist of four panels
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representing our Lord and His Mother between
two kneeling bishops. Placed as it was in the
exhibition, with a strong top light upon it, the
banner was at a disadvantage. The blending of
the colours looked crude almost to discord; but
it is needless to say that, seen in its proper place,
in a church where the light is mellowed by
painted glass, the vividness that now offends
would be softened down to a very different tone.
A finer piece of work is the banner of St.
Michael, incomplete as yet, since it lacks the
attendant angels. The archangel, in a magni-
ficent panoply of gold, is represented in the
usual way, treading dowrn the vanquished dragon
into the fiery abyss. The ultimate destination,
it is hoped, of this banner is the Priory Church
of Great Malvern, and that appropriately enough,
since the building is placed under the patronage
of SS. Michael and All Angels.

EMBROIDERED PANEL BY MARY J. NEWILL

EXECUTED BY MARY J. NEWILL AND E. Ii. BLOXCEDGE