Not currently on display at the V&A

Coverlet

1933 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This rare example of a 'cigarette silk' patchwork coverlet was probably made by the donor's grandmother. Ada Lacey and her husband owned a shop in Clapham, South London during the early decades of the twentieth century, which possibly supplied the vast range of material. The individual silks have been pieced together in a design known as framed or medallion patchwork, and embellished with embroidery stitches. Printed pictorial cigarette silks were issued by British cigarette manufacturers between 1911 and 1935, and were produced to help promote the sale of tobacco. Cigarette silks were intended as collectables and were printed with images of flowers and portraits of famous people, including royalty and sports personalities. The printed panel at the centre of this coverlet features an image of the Queen of Romania (Marie Alexandra Victoria, previously Princess Marie of Edinburgh). The surrounding frames include images of flags, ceramics, regimental insignias and well known portraits by famous artists.






Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hand stitched printed silk
Brief description
Patchwork coverlet, made from silk cigarette cards, Great Britain, ca. 1933
Physical description
Patchwork coverlet, made from variety of printed figurative silks, circa 1935, lined with loose weave linen.
Dimensions
  • Length: 136cm (approx.)
  • Width: 126cm (approx.)
Approximate measurements only as object is hand sewn with some cockling
Content description
Wide range of British regimental insignias and badges, national flags, flowers, ceramics and famous portaits including Marie, Queen of Romania
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Given by Mr John Ceresa
Production
It is believed that Ada Lacey owned a shop in Clapham during the early decades of the twentieth century which supplied cigarettes. Godfrey Phillips and J Wix were cigarette manufacturers. Godfrey Phillips issued a series of printed silk cigarette pictures between 1911 and 1925.
Summary
This rare example of a 'cigarette silk' patchwork coverlet was probably made by the donor's grandmother. Ada Lacey and her husband owned a shop in Clapham, South London during the early decades of the twentieth century, which possibly supplied the vast range of material. The individual silks have been pieced together in a design known as framed or medallion patchwork, and embellished with embroidery stitches. Printed pictorial cigarette silks were issued by British cigarette manufacturers between 1911 and 1935, and were produced to help promote the sale of tobacco. Cigarette silks were intended as collectables and were printed with images of flowers and portraits of famous people, including royalty and sports personalities. The printed panel at the centre of this coverlet features an image of the Queen of Romania (Marie Alexandra Victoria, previously Princess Marie of Edinburgh). The surrounding frames include images of flags, ceramics, regimental insignias and well known portraits by famous artists.




Collection
Accession number
T.133-2012

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Record createdFebruary 14, 2013
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