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ART FROM THE RENASCENCE
197

Besides embroideries and carpets, the manufacture of silk belts, which were an essential feature of the nobleman's costume, forms a highly important branch of applied art. Here, again, the
97. EMBROIDERED BELT (PART OF THE NOBLEMAN'S DRESS).

Turkish conquests of John Sobieski may be taken as the startingpoint for the fashion of wearing those soft silk belts, often embroidered with gold and silver, which are evidently of Oriental origin, and have been ever since an indispensable part of the

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