We should describe this braid, for those who have not followed previous posts closely. It employs two shades of blue, one a sky blue, the other Royal Blue and upon these two colours, the ornamental design is figured in (non-metallic) gold.
Within a Royal blue quatrefoil (four-leafed flower) is a stylised monogram being the letters MR. This is the Latin abbreviation of Maria Regina (Mary the Queen). It was very typical in the Mediaeval period for such monograms to appear as decorative schemes in churches and upon vestments.
These quatrefoils alternate with another emblem, which is upon a light blue base. Here is a crown emphasising the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin. Below it, in heraldic lettering, is the greeting AVE. From this is derived the name of this braid and based on the beautiful Marian antiphon Ave Maris Stella (Hail, Star of the Sea).
Running along either side of this orphrey is a row of smaller quatrefoils in gold, upon the Royal Blue base.
Although not directly-based on the work of the Gothic designer AWN Pugin, this Ave Maris Stella braid incorporates Puginesque elements. No matter whether you shop in Poland, India, England or America, you will not find another braid like Ave Maris Stella. It is just one of the Saint Bede Studio's unique braids, designed by the writer of this blog and made exclusively for the Studio's use.
In further posts, we will present some of our other unique Marian braids and a new one, recently-manufactured titled Salve Regina.
Click on the image for an enlarged view.
