Some curious pieces of ancient lacis were also exhibited (_circ._ 1866) at the Museum of South Kensington by Dr. Bock, of Bonn. Among others, two specimens of coloured silk network, the one ornamented with small embroidered shields and crosses (Fig. 6), the other with the mediæval gammadion pattern (Fig. 7). In the same collection was a towel or altar-cloth of ancient German work--a coarse net ground, worked over with the lozenge pattern.[74] {24}But most artistic of all was a large ecclesiastical piece, some three yards in length. The design portrays the Apostles, with angels and saints. These two last-mentioned objects are of the sixteenth century. When used for altar-cloths, bed-curtains, or coverlets, to produce a greater effect it was the custom to alternate the lacis with squares of plain linen. "An apron set with many a dice Of needlework sae rare, Wove by nae hand, as ye may guess, Save that of Fairly fair." Ballad of Hardyknute. [Illustration: Fig. 6. "SPIDERWORK," THIRTEENTH CENTURY.--(Bock Coll. South Kensington Museum).] [Illustration: Fig. 7. "SPIDERWORK," FOURTEENTH CENTURY.--(Bock Coll. South Kensington Museum.)] This work formed the great delight of provincial ladies in France. Jean Godard, in his poem on the Glove,[75] alluding to this occupation, says:-- "Une femme gantée oeuvre en tapisserie En raizeaux deliez et toute lingerie Elle file--elle coud et fait passement De toutes les fassons...." The armorial shield of the family, coronets, monograms, the beasts of the Apocalypse, with fleurs-de-lys, sacrés coeurs, for the most part adorned those pieces destined for the use of the Church. If, on the other hand, intended for a pall, death's-heads, cross-bones and tears, with the sacramental cup, left no doubt of the destination of the article. PLATE IV. [Illustration: FAN MADE AT BURANO AND PRESENTED TO QUEEN ELENA OF ITALY ON HER MARRIAGE, 1896. Photo by the Burano School.] PLATE V. [Illustration: ITALIAN. PUNTO REALE.--Modern reproduction by the Society Æmilia Ars, Bologna. Photo by the Society.] _To face page 24._ {25}As late as 1850, a splendid cut-work pall still covered the coffins of the fishers when borne in procession through the streets of Dieppe. It is said to have been a votive offering worked by the hands of some lady saved from shipwreck, and presented as a memorial of her gratitude. In 1866, when present at a peasant's wedding in the church of St. Lo (Dép. Manche), the author observed that the "toile d'honneur," which is always held extended over the heads of the married pair while the priest pronounces the blessing, was of the finest cut-work, trimmed with lace. Both in the north and south of Europe the art still lingers on. Swedish housewives pierce and stitch the holiday collars of their husbands and sons, and careful ladies, drawing the threads of the fine linen sheets destined for the "guest-chamber," produce an ornament of geometric design.