Two Chaperons de Confrérie de Charité from Tillieres, France

Late 18th or early 19th c., France, the pair of red baize sashes each completed hand-sewn and decorated in goldwork embroidery featuring detached floral sprays and vase and floral motifs, the back with a large tassel-decorated ring framing a stylized fleur de lis emerging as a flower, the front of one with "2me Chandelier / Tillieres / 1393" between floral spray motifs, the other with "Sous-porte-croix / Tillieres / 1393", all worked primarily in gold purl and spangles, edged in cloth of gold jacquard ribbon, trimmed with gold purl fringe, lined with caramel colored silk. These pieces embroidered and sewn entirely by hand.

73 x 19 in.

The Estate of the late Dr. William "Bill" Webb Johnston and Mr. Charles "Chuck" Raymond West, Hillsborough, NC

Beginning in the middle ages, the men in many French villages formed numerous "brotherhoods of charity" whose members were responsible primarily for funerals, but also performed other charitable works. These brotherhoods had flags and ceremonial garb for special occasions and parades, including decorative hoods. Over the years, these hoods turned into a sash worn over the shoulder, but retained the name "chaperon" (hat). These sashes were often decorated with the name of the brotherhood and the year it was founded.

Discoloration of metal threads and trim; fading and discoloration of fabrics; scattered small holes to red baize; loss and separation to fringe; fraying and mis-shaping to fringe and tassels; one item with rough 2.5" hole to one edge; some loss and separation to goldwork embroidery stitches.