Curtain thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Curtain

1830-1840 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A pair of identical curtains of plain weave natural-coloured ramie, each one embroidered in white twisted thread with a design of birds and butterflies amongst flowers and bamboo. The arrangement of the design is very similar to that on some Chinese export wallpaper. There is a drawn threadwork border around the sides and along the hem. The sides and hem are turned under for a depth of 9 cm and there is a cord threaded through the hem.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Curtain
  • Curtain
Materials and techniques
Plain weave ramie with embroidered designs
Brief description
Pair of curtains, plain weave natural coloured ramie embroidered with white twisted thread, China, Qing dynasty, 1830-40
Physical description
A pair of identical curtains of plain weave natural-coloured ramie, each one embroidered in white twisted thread with a design of birds and butterflies amongst flowers and bamboo. The arrangement of the design is very similar to that on some Chinese export wallpaper. There is a drawn threadwork border around the sides and along the hem. The sides and hem are turned under for a depth of 9 cm and there is a cord threaded through the hem.
Dimensions
  • Length: 248cm
  • Width: 99cm
Styles
Credit line
Given by Mrs Perkins H. Bailey, in memory of her husband
Object history
Registered File number 1983/2012.

According to the donor, four pairs of these curtains were commissioned from China by the Hudson branch of her husband's family to complement the Chippendale furniture in the drawing room. The Hudsons were apparently connected with the China Trade. The donor has a self portrait of Maria Hagaman dating from around 1818 who supposedly designed the curtains. Maria Hagaman's family were early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam before it became New York. It seems unlikely that the curtains were specifically designed in America as they are of a standard pattern.
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic reference
Wilson, Verity, Chinese Textiles, London: V&A Publications, 2005, pp. 35 & 99, fig. 35 & 110
Collection
Accession number
FE.150&A-1983

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Record createdNovember 10, 2004
Record URL
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