Emblems for a Queen: The Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots, Bath, Michael. Published by Archetype Books, London, England, 2008. First Edition. Illustrated card covers. 4to – over 9¾” – 12″ tall; 172pp. Contents are in fine, unread condition; very light shelf wear to card covers.
The many pieces of embroidery by Mary Queen of Scots or by Elizabeth Countess of Shrewsbury (‘Bess of Hardwick’) are among the best-known and most fascinating examples of historical embroidery. However, many questions surrounding their meaning and purpose – and, above all, the sources and patterns used for their imagery (including birds, fish, flowers, monograms, emblems and other devices) – remain unanswered. In this new study Michael Bath not only describes and illustrates the surviving embroideries, but also documents from early records a large number of those that have disappeared.” “Many of these embroidered panels use emblems, combining a symbolic image with a learned adage, and Professor Bath shows how, in their own day, these were believed to hold moral, political and religious messages which expressed the Catholic queen’s values, purposes and intentions.
