Stekenlap van gouddraadborduurwerk op donker blauwgroen laken. c. 1900 - 1925

This is a gold thread embroidery on dark blue-green cloth, made by Industrieschool De Windroos. The square composition is structured by an interplay of gold lines that frame a series of meticulously embroidered motifs. These aren't randomly placed; the composition suggests a deeper order, a hidden symmetry. The use of gold thread creates a shimmering effect against the dark background, drawing our eyes into the details of each motif. The floral and heraldic designs, while traditional, are rendered with such precision and care that they seem to question the very nature of ornamentation and decoration. Are these simply aesthetic flourishes, or do they encode a more profound message? Consider the contrast between the rigid geometric lines and the organic forms of the embroidered elements. This tension destabilizes the fixed categories of art and craft. It invites us to question the established meanings and values we assign to such objects. What we are left with is not just a beautiful piece of needlework, but an intricate exploration of form, function, and the very nature of representation.