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Curtain
unknown - Enlarge image
Curtain
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
mid 17th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Linen and cotton twill, embroidered with crewel wool
- Museum number:
CIRC.401-1930
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This curtain is from a set of bed hangings which, when pulled closed around a bed, provided warmth and privacy. They were usually the most important part of the bed, generally referred to as the 'furniture', and were often valued more highly than the wooden bed frames they decorated.
The curtain is embroidered in a technique known as crewel work, from the crewel or worsted wool used. Crewel work was popular through much of the second half of the 17th century, and was used extensively for bed hangings. It was usually carried out on a strong ground fabric of linen and cotton twill. The embroidery is worked in stem, satin, coral, herringbone and link stitches.
Needlework was a skill taught from early girlhood in 17th-century Britain. Adult women might earn their living from it, or use it in the upkeep and decoration of their households.
