Two historic embroidered textiles, believed to date to the 18th century, from Madrid's Chapel of San Isidro are undergoing restoration at the Royal Tapestry Factory. The chapel, traditionally regarded as the birthplace and childhood home of the city's patron saint, San Isidro, belongs to the Sacramental Archconfraternity of San Pedro, San Andrés and San Isidro.
The embroideries are of considerable historical and artistic significance. Worked on silk taffeta, one features motifs of the papal tiara, symbolising the Pope's spiritual authority within the Catholic Church, while the other depicts the Sacrifice of Abraham, a powerful representation of faith and devotion.
Historic embroidered textile, 18th century (?), Madrid's Chapel of San Isidro
When the textiles arrived at the Royal Tapestry Factory, they were in a fragile state, showing accumulated dirt, dehydrated fibres and evidence of previous restoration campaigns. Conservation work includes specialist surface cleaning, the careful alignment and stabilisation of the fabrics, and the consolidation of earlier repairs to ensure their long-term preservation.
