Spangles or sequins? This sudarium is believed to be a Vadstena work. Vadstena convent was founded by S:t Bridget. The convent is known, among other things, for its fine textile work, and many that were produced there in the Middle Ages are still in existence. This sudarium is one of two existing in Sweden from the Middle ages.
It’s not easy to see what the motif is supposed to show, but it resembles a helmet ornament.
The small pearls are very small and we don’t understand how someone have been able to make a hole though them. And we don’t know of we should call the metal decorations for spangles or sequins… Help!
The sudarium is dated the the first quarter of the 16th century.
Now in the collections of The Swedish History museum.
More pictures here
/ Amica and Maria
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I’d say spangles – sequins implies the more modern, faceted discs and these are smooth and convex.
hmm.. for some reason, I have always thought of sequins as the ones punched out of metal – i.e. coin-shaped (I believe a sequin was the name of a small coin?) whereas the ones that are made of a link of coiled metal hammered flat – and therefore having a sausage-shape that forms a rounded shape with a slit or obvious place where the two ends meet – as a spangle. But this may be due to how I was told about the ‘flatten coils’ method of making shiny metal things to go on embroidery. They’re often called ‘oes’ in inventories and descriptions as well (just to add to the confusion).
I do hope some definitively knows so I can actually know as well!!
There doesn’t seem to be any joins so I would say they are sequins. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU0YuQSzScY