Picture
c.1600 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
In subject matter this picture is a pleasing but typical example of English domestic embroidery from the beginning of the 17th century, including randomly scattered animals, birds and insects with flowers around a central decorative fountain. It is unusual because its background is worked entirely in stiches of silver thread, a rare and extravagant use of material which suggests it was made for or owned by an affluent household.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Embroidered in metal thread and silks, in tent stitch with raised details |
Brief description | Fountain with birds and animals, embroidered in coloured silks and silver thread, England, c.1600 |
Physical description | Picture, embroidered mostly in tent stitch on linen canvas, in coloured silks and silver thread. The central motif of a fountain is surrounded by animals, birds and insects; these include a lion, camel, deer with hunter and dog chasing, and owl on top of the fountain. The figures are worked in coloured silks, now faded. The background is worked in silver thread. The fountain is embroidered with raised details worked with different types of metal thread, including strip and purl. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Bequeathed by Dr Joan Stephen |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | In subject matter this picture is a pleasing but typical example of English domestic embroidery from the beginning of the 17th century, including randomly scattered animals, birds and insects with flowers around a central decorative fountain. It is unusual because its background is worked entirely in stiches of silver thread, a rare and extravagant use of material which suggests it was made for or owned by an affluent household. |
Collection | |
Accession number | T.28-2015 |
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Record created | November 6, 2014 |
Record URL |
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