Re: [Mid] Curtains

  What is a pipe roll? Definitely familiar with some of the biblical accounts. That is the reason for the curtains behind the altars in many churches today. Found today a funny painting that definitely shows a curtain in period. I will reference the picture tomorrow (away from the library now.) It was a many panelled thing hung straight from a straight dowel. Not very interesting, but a least some evidence for usage. although the painting itself was interesting for the peculiarity of the subjects' relationship to the architecture.
   The major problem is that being fabric it was an expensive item and also a fairly ephemeral one. Evidence would be more prone to show up in law cases or paintings, but with paintings why bother painting a window with drapery over it when it would only distract from the fine drapery of the figures and prevent the panting of an outside cartoon.
   As for trusting to logic, that can lead one considerably astray. I have an uncle who was a missionary in New Guinea, he explained to me once that the Irian Jara refused to use smoke stacks after having been shown how they worked because they claimed that if they could not see the smoke in the room there clearly was no evidence for heat. So yes humans are exceptional with logic. And we now are no exception.

Piotr Z.

Heirusalem Crystoma <crystoma@midrealm.org> wrote: There are Biblical references to curtains in the Tabernacle.
One very good place to check for references for medieval castles would be
pipe rolls. These are accounting books used to list items purchased for
use in a castle. I have the Orford Castle pipe rolls and will check them
for you. I know the various buildings at the Tower of London also has
preserved pipe rolls, but have not been able to get my hands on them
(other than one page from the torture chamber). Exchequers and clerks kept
much better records on such mundane things than anyone else. :) (Hurrah
for the accountants!)

Heirusalem

A good Gentle wrote: Piotr Zavilov
> Greetings all,
>
> After a request to find out about period window treatments the answer
> remains unresolved. Does anyone have any insights as to when curtains
> for windows came into use? There are a few paintings especially Dutch
> that confirm the existence of curtains to the 1660's. I found one
> painting of a Madonna and Child in the CMA's holdings that was
> certainly period but the drapery and perspective were so awkward as to
> make the relationship of it to the window ambiguous. Also found a fine
> representation of curtains for a bedchamber and an equally interesting
> painting which clearly shows how tapestries were hung from the walls,
> but not any actual window curtains. There is plenty of evidence of
> internal shutters. Any information on the subject would be beneficial.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Piotr Zavilov
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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-- 
Despôtissa Heirusalem Crystoma
“The true measure of a career is to be able to be content, even proud,
that you succeeded through your own endeavors without leaving a trail of
casualties in your wake.” Alan Greenspan
From:  "Heirusalem Crystoma" 
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From:  Piotr Zavilov <piotrzavilov@yahoo.com>
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