The white on the black is either slashes or embroidery, so we agree on that. What we don't agree with is the smocking and the gold bits. Spangles were used in period and I believe that there are a few garments that Elizabeth I wore that had them. I believe that they are spangles (there were different sizes) because you can see them under the lace cuffs. As if they were polished metal and not a cloth of gold shimmer. If supported correctly the lattice work can be used in a skirt. If you look at http://www.savvyseams.com/techniques/canadian.php Imagine the raised bars closer together (this can be done) and done in a little heavier material that is supported in back. Then take every other raised bar and embroider/pink it and the others spangle it and you have the design pattern of the portrait. http://www.tudor-portraits.com/Elizabeth12.jpg The sleeves are what convinces me that they are latticework because of the way the design lays. So I guess agree to disagree. De
-----Original Message----- De, I'm afraid we must agree to disagree. To my eyes this is definitely slashing or embroidery meant to look like slashing. If you look at other depictions of slashing, you'll see the same look--lines that are heavier in the middle, narrower on the ends, and not connected: http://www.tudor-portraits.com/UnknownMan11.jpg http://www.tudor-portraits.com/EdwardHoby1.jpg Also, sleeves of strapwork (or even lattice smocking, should it turn out to have existed) are one thing, but a whole skirt of it seems less plausible. If you look at depictions of strapwork, on the other hand, you see a completely different look. The lines for the edges of the straps are even in thickness and connect to the next perpendicular strap so that it's clear they're passing over and under each other: http://www.tudor-portraits.com/UnknownMan2.jpg http://www.tudor-portraits.com/Elizabeth4.jpg (side of the bodice) Melanie Schuessler _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
