Shepheard Buss embroidery, 16th century, England.
Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London, acc. no. T.219-1953.
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London houses a remarkable example of blackwork, the use of which remains a moot point. It may have been a wall hanging, a cupboard cover or a table cover. It was made in England and dates to the late sixteenth century. It measures 114 x 98.3 cm. It is embroidered in black silk on a linen ground. There is also couched cord and a bobbin lace border.
The decoration illustrates a shepherd mourning his lost lover, set in a rural landscape. This central motif is placed in an oval medallion, which is surrounded by emblems and mottoes in English, Latin and Italian. There are also inscriptions in the outer border.
The word 'buss' in the title of the embroidery means 'kiss'.
V&A online catalogue (retrieved 7 November 2016).
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