These curtains and valance fragment would have formed part of a set of hangings for a bed. Although there was a long tradition in England of embroidering bed hangings in wool, this example shows the influence of painted cotton textiles from India which were imported during the seventeenth century. Despite their novelty, and the long distance they had travelled, such cottons were affordable and were often used for bed hangings. Curtains made from linen, with wool embroidery, however, would have been warmer and more hard-wearing. A curtain like this shows how fashion was rendered practical for everyday use.

This embroidery uses a limited range of stitches, but a wide spectrum of colours to depict the stylised leaves and flowers which form the design. Particular elements have been taken from Indian cottons to form a distinctly European pattern of evenly spaced sprigs bordered by wavy stems of flowers and foliage.