Talk:Voided Work

I've seen a lovely 12th century sicilian piece of voided work (red background, tree of life motif) in:

 Jones, Mary Eirwen, 1969, "A history of Western embroidery" Studio Vista, (London), ISBN:0289796555

• is it unusual for being so early? (seeing as I've mostly only got 12th century garb to decorate, and I like doing that in a period appropriate technique)
• what were the most common uses of voided work - furnishings, expensive decorative pieces (eg church altar cloths), on nice clothing, or other? (if this changes with time, which are most common when?)
• if you can find the picture (if not, contact Tiff) what stitch is the background and outlining executed in do you think? (there is one tiny corner that is unfinished where you can see the outlining was done before filling in the background).

thanks, Tiff - facinated