Sleeve fragment

A fragment of a garment, probably part of a sleeve, with gathered cuff and embroidery (smocking). Dark brown twill weave wool, fragmentary, with fraying edges. One edge with fine pleats held in place with gathering stitches and with smocked embroidery in a pale brown thread. Under a microscope the thread looks like a floss silk. The gathered section measures 80mm across, and is 50mm deep. The embroidery forms a diamond pattern enclosing a pattern of four smaller diamond shapes, in what appears to be silver metal thread wrapped around a silk core, now very discoloured and decomposed. The main diamond pattern is bordered with three lines of bold stitches on each side. Each of these bordering stitches is offset to form a decorative pattern.

Item was found in an archaeological site on Worship Street, Finsbury, London EC2.