A Florentine Renaissance embroidered panel for a dalmatic garment, circa 1440-1460

Comprising twelve sections, the top row with three Evangelists, each holding a gospel; the next row with the Annunciation scene with the Archangel Gabriel, Mary and Saint Paul holding a raised sword and a book; the next row with Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas flanking the standing figure of Jesus; the bottom row with Saint Peter holding keys and a book, Moses and probably Saint Andrew;

each figure framed with embroidered foliage; sewn to a linen background stretched over a wooden frame.

Backed on to a canvas and stretcher

32.3/8 x 18.1/2 in. (82.3 x 47 cm.), measured to edge of needlepoint, not stretcher.

PROVENANCE: with Jean-Charles D'Ornano, 16 January 2022, lot 233. Ex central London gallery.

Expertised by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Condition: some losses and repairs. Many of the threads are metallic. Probably tarnished silver for much of it. A few loose threads, but it has been stabilised and is good and flat on the stretcher for presentation. No frame. There is fading to the panel as one should expect for something of this age.