Not currently on display at the V&A

Christening Cloth

1800-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Bearing cloths were used to wrap around swaddled babies (babies wrapped round with strips of cloth) or to carry them on for christenings (baptisms) and other ceremonial occasions. The cloths were made of rich materials and this example is made of silk brocaded with silver and silver-gilt thread. The main purpose of bearing cloths was to display a family's wealth and status, and to celebrate a new birth. Since they were used only on special occasions and with great care, they were often passed down through families over generations.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk brocaded with silver and silver-gilt thread
Brief description
Dark blue silk satin; pattern obtained by supplementary brocading wefts and by the liseré efects of the ground weft, France or Italy, 1800-1850
Physical description
A rectangular christening or bearing cloth made of dark blue satin with self-coloured pattern and brocading in silver and silver-gilt thread. Lined with plain-woven silk. Pattern in comber repeat.
Dimensions
  • Approx. length: 129.0cm
  • Approx width: 105.0cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Miss Anne Thirlwall Davies and Mrs Sandra Thirlwall Jones in memory of their beloved mother, Mrs Frances Grace Davies
Summary
Bearing cloths were used to wrap around swaddled babies (babies wrapped round with strips of cloth) or to carry them on for christenings (baptisms) and other ceremonial occasions. The cloths were made of rich materials and this example is made of silk brocaded with silver and silver-gilt thread. The main purpose of bearing cloths was to display a family's wealth and status, and to celebrate a new birth. Since they were used only on special occasions and with great care, they were often passed down through families over generations.
Collection
Accession number
T.44-2008

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Record createdJune 3, 2008
Record URL
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