I am so excited that I can finally share a reconstruction project with you that I have a tiny part in:
Last year I had the honour of dyeing the embroidery silk for the reconstruction of the St. Cuthbert maniple.
The reconstruction project is done by Dr. Alexandra Manin, textile archaeologist and professional embroiderer, specialized on early medieval embroidery of the British Isles and Ireland.
It is the epoche that the St. Cuthbert maniple was originally made (c. 910 CE). A maniple is a lithurgical vestment, in size similar to a scarf, worn over the left wrist and used for touching lithurgical objects during Holy Mass.
Reconstruction such an object is a huge task that is usually broken down into several sub-projects. I am very honoured to have been involved in the part of dyeing the actual embroidery silk for this reconstruction.
We talk about our process of defining which plants to use, how colour-perception & colour-naming changes over centuries, the special challenges the Cuthbert maniple hold in store and lots more!
It is awesome to be part of such a project and I not only loved dyeing the embroidery silk for it, but now I can watch how the silk is helping to bring the Cutherbert maniple back to its originally colourfull glory!