OTTOMAN CRETE, 18TH CENTURY

Most likely a pillowcase or cushion cover, the present lot is identifiable as Cretan on account of the frieze-like horizontal registers, bright, polychrome palette and bird-and-vase motifs. The peacocks and double-tailed mermaids (gorgona), also typical of Cretan work, reflect the Venetian influence on the Aegean island and the resulting effect of Renaissance motifs upon local craftsmanship. An embroidery attributed to 17th or 18th century Crete with similar fan-tailed peacocks and elaborate vases may be found in the Benaki Museum, Athens, Inv. ΕΕ 1571.