Stole

A multitude of colored silk threads intertwine in various figures and scenes down the length of this stole. At the bottom, chrysanthemums and roses grow in a meandering but orderly fashion. Although the images are stylistically Byzantine (Eastern Orthodox Christian religious art of the 4th to 15th centuries), the flowers are inspired by Ottoman embroidery. Ottoman needlework, especially floral patterns, became increasingly popular along the Mediterranean after the 14th century. Over time, European embroiderers began imitating Ottoman designs to the point that many observers could not tell the difference between European copies and the originals.