Or Nue or Italian Couching

Hi Folks --

I'm working on a project which I thought was Or Nue or a variation thereof with modern materials. But I have been told that it might be Italian Couching.

Can anyone explain the difference?

Keep Stitching, Janet snipped-for-privacy@napanet.net

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Pauline Brown's Encyclopedia of Embroidery Techniques describes Or Nué as "Italian *Shading*". Every other text I have always uses the word

*shading* not couching, though Or Nué is in fact, couching. That said... Underside couching is characteristic of ancient Sicilian and Byzantine embroideries and the Florentines were well known for it in the early middle ages, so it is possible to be called "Italian couching". Something to note here is that the Opus Anglicanum period (1250-1350) in England was largely fine Underside Couching work and since this was later in history than the Italians, it seems a little odd to be calling it Italian Couching, but it is possible. While Or Nué is couched silk on top of the gold threads and ground fabric, Underside Couching is when the couched stitches (usually linen thread) actually pull the gold through the ground fabric.

A google search brings up Sandy Rodgers of the EGA (I think, either that or ANG)

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lists Or Nué and Italian Couching as separate techniques that you would learn if you took her class. Maybe a quick email to her might clear it up for you. Please post here if you learn the difference, I'd be interested in what you find out.I also found a reference to an Italian Couching illustration from Mary Gostelow's Embroidery Book, pg 71, on a SCA website.http://www.speakeasy.org/~mefletcher/Embroidering%20Bayeux%20Tapestry.htmlYou should be able to find that book in your local library. If I get the chance I'll look at the copy at my library the next time I'm there which should be soon as I've reserved another book which should be in any day.Good luck and post what you find out!Jeanine in Canada

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