Dear Lacemakers, Often the answers to lace questions reside in publications about related arts.
Following is from "Embroidery Motifs from Old Dutch Samplers", compiled by Albarta Meulenbelt-Nieuwburg, published 1974 by Charles Scribner's Sons, NY, SBN: 0-684-13678-3, and published by Batsford SBN 0-7134-2875-9. Copyright 1974 H. J. W. Becht's Uitgeversmaatschappij b.v., Amsterdam. English translations: Patricia Wardle (familiar to lacemakers) and Gillian Downing. 1. Spinning Monkey According to the "Physiologus" the monkey is a symbol of the Devil. It also stands for all sorts of undesirable qualities such as folly, laziness, lechery, vanity, mimicry and other vices, in contrast to all the good qualities of the Virgin. Durer, too, used the monkey as the antithesis of the Virgin. In Books of Hours of the first half of the 15th century by among other artists the Master of Catherine of Cleves......., the monkey is shown in various guises, e.g. with a barrow on which lies a cat, walking on stilts, blowing bubbles or spinning. A spinning moneky occurs on samplers, too, but there is a difference, for the monkey on the samplers is always shown sitting in a chair. A. Wassenberg sees the spinning monkey as linked with the Three Fates, who foretell the lot of men and spin out the threads of their lives: Clotho, who wields the spindle, Lachesis, who measures the threads, and Atropos, who cuts them off. 2. Dogs The dog symbolizes fidelity and watchfulness. It quite often occurs on mosaic floors at the entrance to Roman houses with the warning inscription: "Cave Canem" - Beware of the dog. In personifications of loyalty it appears as the companion of a figure carrying a key or signet ring. It is also used as an attribute of envy and wrath. Regards, Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
