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

Cover

1850-1890 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A cover of white linen embroidered with blue floss silk in double running and satin stitch. The original centre, which was probably unpatterned, has been cut out and replaced and the edges of the joins have been masked by narrow white and blue braid. The four corner motifs (diagonal sprays) extend into the missing central section and an attempt has been made to complete the missing bits. The embroidery consists of three borders: the inner border is a narrow wave pattern; the middle border has large tree-like motifs and the outer border is a floral diaper.
A small area of one side border has been patched and an attempt has been made to complete the missing embroidery. The thread used here is slightly green and is like the thread used to complete the missing tips of the corner motifs.
As the damage is only in the centre of each piece (see also T.45-1931), were these covers used on very small rectangular tables or free-standing altars?


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Plain weave linen
Brief description
Embroidered cover, 1850-1890, Guatemalan
Physical description
A cover of white linen embroidered with blue floss silk in double running and satin stitch. The original centre, which was probably unpatterned, has been cut out and replaced and the edges of the joins have been masked by narrow white and blue braid. The four corner motifs (diagonal sprays) extend into the missing central section and an attempt has been made to complete the missing bits. The embroidery consists of three borders: the inner border is a narrow wave pattern; the middle border has large tree-like motifs and the outer border is a floral diaper.
A small area of one side border has been patched and an attempt has been made to complete the missing embroidery. The thread used here is slightly green and is like the thread used to complete the missing tips of the corner motifs.
As the damage is only in the centre of each piece (see also T.45-1931), were these covers used on very small rectangular tables or free-standing altars?
Dimensions
  • Length: 77cm
  • Width: 56cm
Credit line
Given by Alfred Percival Maudslay
Production
As both linen and silk would have been imported into Guatemala, it is just possible this embroidery was imported from Spain as a finished piece. However, there were many textiles worked by talented Guatemalan embroiderers for the Spanish colonial ladies and Spanish girls were taught embroidery in the convent schools in Guatemala.
Associated object
Collection
Accession number
T.262-1928

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdAugust 3, 1999
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest