This I regard as the most special thing I've found in the last few weeks, for being very old and just blowing my mind with its construction. Handwoven of both heavy wool and metallic thread, it is a 54 inch stretch of wide trim, onto which was stitched an endless series of metallic thread wrapped metal forms--crosses, knots, and bows of several sorts. Details give a sense of the intensity of the workmanship here, but holding it in hand is a different thing; it is quite heavy and one really feels the weight of all that work!
I believe English, 17th-18th century (I'd guess early 18th). Metallic thread was quite the rage among the wealthy during this period--a way to display luxury and status--and was incorporated into the weaving process of tapestries, decorative rugs, and clothing--including in the form of wire wrapped metal ribbons, as here, sewn onto the fabric of fine garments as decoration. I believe this would likely have been sewn onto a tapestry or curtains as trim, with one side of it showing braided metallic thread loops that would hang as edging, but I haven't managed to find a close match.
54" long x 1 13/16" w and in beautiful condition, no losses and not at all fragile; this was made to endure. Clearly once part of a larger stretch, cut at both ends, but stable and not at all unravelling.
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