Libbretto nouellamete composto per maestro Domenico da Sera...lauorare di ogni sorte di punti, page 8 (recto) 1532

This is page eight from Domenico da Sera’s book on embroidery patterns. The designs are replete with angular, geometric shapes, reminiscent of ancient symbols. Consider the cross motif in the center. Its equal arms might evoke a sense of balance and harmony, yet its stark, repetitive rendering hints at something deeper. We can trace similar crosses back to ancient cultures— the hooked cross. The cross's presence here, within a book intended for domestic artistry, speaks to its enduring resonance, a silent echo of past beliefs interwoven into the fabric of daily life. It is not merely a decorative element, but a vessel carrying the weight of centuries. This visual language persists through time, influencing our subconscious and subtly shaping our understanding of the world.