Instrumental analysis of metal threads as an aid for interpretation and preservation of a fifteenth-century tapestry altar frontal and super frontal

Since the earliest times, metal threads were woven into tapestries to add glinting highlights, texture and a clear demonstration of the opulence of the tapestry to evince the wealth of its owner (Jobé, 1965). Whilst there are many examples of tapestries which contain metal threads, the tapestry altar frontal and associated super frontal under consideration in this chapter stand out due to the uncommonly large number of different metal thread types that are incorporated into the woven structure (Christie, 1979; Kajitani, 1993; Wingfield-Digby, 1980).