Land of Oz wrote:
Yuck! What is the story behind the eyeballs and ears all over this
dress? The snake on her arm interesting, but what is the significance?
~Denise B
http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/rainbowlarger.jpg
"Reason or Interest of State', or perhaps 'The Art of Government': 'She
is represented in a garment of turquoise woven with eyes and ears to
symbolise her jealous hold over her dominion, and her desire to have the
eyes and ears of spies, the better to judge her own plans and foil those
of others'. "
-- Janet Arnold, _Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd_
The snake appears to have been a piece of jewelery, and is mentioned in
the wardrobe accounts. It also appears in a portrait of an unknown lady
dated after the Queen's death, Arnold surmises it was given away.
Dawn
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