Two 15th century openwork braids of silk and metal thread from Riddarholmen and Alvastra Abbey in Sweden

The Historical Museum in Stockholm holds two interesting Medieval braids, one from Riddarholmen Church and one from Alvastra Abbey. Both are made of red silk and metal thread, probably with a loop-manipulation braiding technique that can produce openwork braids resembling lace. The braid from Riddarholmen can be linked to funerary textiles, as it was found during the opening in 1915―16 of the purported tomb of King Magnus Birgersson Ladulas (Barnlock). The other braid was excavated in 1949 at Alvastra Abbey and is probably a fastening loop. In this study, we present the results of a technical and material comparison of the two braids.