I've seen embroidered & woven pieces dated to the 1600s that show instruments like a bowed psaltry being played

Hardly likely. See HERE, although I'm personally inclined to think 1890 is a little early. I heard the Bowed Psaltery was actually invented from earlier 20th century bowed zither types (see HERE) by one of the Dransfieds in the sixties. Contrary to what WIKI says, bar the bow, it has no link to either the crwth or the vielle.