GOLDSMITHS' WORK ; IRON IN ART ; ENAMEL ; JEWELLERY ; WOOD CARVING; IVORY CARVING; POTTERIES AND PORCELAINS; STONE CARVING; INTERIOR DECORATION.) Textiles and Tapestries.—Only a comparatively few textiles have come down to us through the ages but in the paintings and illuminations, superbly beautiful brocades and velvets are shown as they were worn by the personages portrayed. Many of these textiles were executed in Italy, more especially in Venice, and in the 15th century we find a distinct tendency toward the feeling of the Renaissance rather than an upholding of the traditions of the Gothic.
Tapestry weaving, however, became one of the chief arts and in the very closely and finely woven wall-hangings which were executed a new expression of art took place. The treatment of the "verdure" types favoured foliage designed to include beautifully related curves forming concavities terminated by sharp points. This design enhanced by the rich colours at that time obtainable developed possibilities of all-over treatment which were exceptionally happy. The mille fleur examples, depending upon a dark background sprinkled with beautifully related and delicately executed little plants or flowers with their sensitive curling foliage, were even more exquisite and this type often incorporated figures of animals beautifully drawn and wonderfully executed.
The human figure was also often employed in tapestry weav ing and developed all of the life and structural beauty which has been noted in the sculpture of the period. (See TAPESTRY ;