Ottoman Embroidery

Two unusual characteristics distinguish this Ottoman embroidery. First, its tree of life is asymmetric and second, the metallic embroidery is done in chain stitch identical to the silk work. Most of metallic thread work on Ottoman textiles is couched or raised over cardboard cut outs, and trees of life mostly have a single trunk. The tree with its elaborate stylized flowers is wonderfully fluid and the colors delicate. The satin ground is selvedge to selvedge.