Museum number
F97
Object
Embroidery: the revenge of Queen Tomyris over Cyrus the Great, English or Continental, silk and metal thread on silk satin, dated 1655
Description
This is a very fine example of professional embroidery. A similar, but undated and less elaborate picture is in the Victoria and Albert Museum . Dated 1655 and initialled RC and RL. Inscribed with the latin 'Satia te sanguine quem Semper Sitisti' (Sate yourself with the blood you have always thirsted for) Tomyris (according to Herodotus Chapter 1 vs 2-14) was Queen of a nomadic people of central Asia in ancient times. The army of Tomyris led by her son had been tricked by Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian empire into attending a feast, at which many were slaughtered. When Tomyris' son came to his senses after the feast and realised what had happened he blamed himself and committed suicide. His mother swore to avenge his death with blood. She met Cyrus' army in battle and the Persian King was slain. However, not content with merely his death, Tomyris sent for his body, had the head severed from it and dipped in a dish of human blood. In this picture we see Tomyris and her attendents looking on as the deed is carried out. The scene is usually held to be a symbolic act of justice. The actual design for this panel is derived from the painting of the same subject by peter Paul Rubens, now in the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. The panel is worked on a white satin ground fabric. Stitches include split stitch, laid and couched work, running stitch and 'Or nue' technique (especially visible on the blue/silver gown of the man with the sword). Applied coils and loops of wire and metal plate have been used to decorate the columns and fringes of the curtains. They are also used for Tomyris' gown, where a fine silk wire has been applied over the 'ornue' orf the dress. Cut silk pile has been employed for the curtains, and many pearl beads have been applied to the dresses of the ladies in the Court of Queen Tomyris. The faces of the figures-especially noticeable in the figure of the Negro boy - are painted as is the suit of armour worn by a figure observing the scene in the centre of the panel. The very high standard of the work indicates a professional embroiderer, whose name has sadly not come down to us.
Materials
Silk
On display?
Yes

Further description

Simple name
Embroidery
Dimensions
framed: 61.0000cm (h) x 48.3000cm (w)
The revenge of Queen Tomyris over Cyrus the Great English or Continental Silk and metal thread on silk satin, dated 1655 F97 Presented by the family of the late Mrs J.D. Lace, 1927 According to Herodotus, Tomyris was queen of an ancient nomadic people of central Asia. Her army, led by her son, was tricked by Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire. Tomyris’s son blamed himself and committed suicide. His mother swore to avenge his death. Cyrus was slain but not content with merely his death; Tomyris dipped his severed head in a dish of human blood. The scene is usually held to be a symbolic act of justice. The very high standard of the work indicates a professional embroiderer. The design is derived from an engraving by Paulus Pontius, after a painting by Rubens, now in the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. The Holburne Museum has a remarkable collection of embroidered pictures. Most were made by young, highly skilled amateur needlewomen in wealthy households although a few may be the work of professional embroiderers, who were usually men. Many of the embroideries incorporate raised work (or stumpwork), the technique of embroidering over padding in high relief. Their enduring appeal comes from the combination of exceptional craftsmanship with the naive charm of designs which often include outsized animals, birds and insects.

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