I am always impressed by Mary Wigham's Portuguese Head Girl, Cristina, who continues the tradition of stitched Castelo Branco throws. They are a spectacular and distinctive feature of Portuguese embroidery history which dates back to the 12th century. Often the bed throw was a trousseau item and was painstakingly worked in a couched long satin stitch, using silk thread on a linen ground. If you would like to buy a new one, they take about 2 months to stitch and cost 15,000 - 45,000 Euros. Which makes this antique early 19th century example look a snip at an estimate of 600 - 1,200 Euros when it comes up for auction on 9th March at Christie's!
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