MS Ashmole 1504

MS Ashmole 1504, which can best be described as a 'herbal and bestiary', contains images of flora and fauna together with stylised, floriated ornaments and coloured alphabets. Dating from around 1520, the manuscript was probably conceived as a pattern book for a variety of decorative media, including wall painting, stained glass, painted cloths and embroidery.

Dr Martin Kauffmann, Head of Early and Rare Collections at the Bodleian Libraries, and Dr Lynn Hulse, Co-Founder of Ornamental Embroidery, explore MS Ashmole 1504 and the project inspired by it: The Needle's Art, an exhibition of contemporary stitch, on display at the Weston Library until 30 January 2022.