the Maaseik Embroideries, are believed to be the oldest complete pieces of embroidered fabric to survive in Western Europe. They formed parts of a chasuble, the sleeveless cloaks worn by priests. The fragments look rather sorry today, since the silk, pearls and some of the golden threads have been damaged or picked out. But the distinctive colour palette of reds, greens and blues is still clear and the detailed stitched designs of birds and beasts present an echo of what must have been very sophisticated work. They date to the ninth century and appear to have been made by English women.
