Cut Cloth
ca.1900 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is one of several 19th century scenic cloths for travelling marionette shows performed by the Clowes and Tiller companies, and possibly the only surviving group of 19th century scenic cloths of their type. They are rare survivals which offer first-hand evidence about marionette shows of their time, and about 19th century scene painting in general. They were given to the museum by George Speaight after he had looked after them in his attic for almost fifty years. He and Gerald Morice had bought them in the late 1940s from Harriet Clowes who remembered performing with them when she was a girl. At the same time they bought a quantity of marionettes which are now also in the museum's collection.
Scene-painters were much in demand for marionette shows, as they were for the theatre generally, and when companies didn't have the expertise themselves, they advertised for scene- painters. Each play had several scenes, and to save on the expense of canvas, many of these cloths are painted on both sides, with different scenes. Some even have eyelets which may show their origins as sails.
Scene-painters were much in demand for marionette shows, as they were for the theatre generally, and when companies didn't have the expertise themselves, they advertised for scene- painters. Each play had several scenes, and to save on the expense of canvas, many of these cloths are painted on both sides, with different scenes. Some even have eyelets which may show their origins as sails.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | painted canvas |
| Brief description | Front cloth representing a framed painting of a thatched country cottage and garden with fields beyond. Painted canvas by the Tiller family marionette company, Lincolnshire, c.1900. |
| Physical description | Front cloth attached to a square wooden batten at the top and circular lower batten. The relatively fine weave canvas is all in one piece and is painted in distemper with red swagged curtains with gold bullion fringe and tassels. The curtains fall to the ground on either side of the cloth but are raised in the centre to reveal a framed image of a thatched cottage stage right with trellis-patterned shutters, in a gareden with silver birch trees stage left, hollyhocks by the cottage door and in the garden which has a gate and field beyond. A path winds through the fields into the distance and the pinky blue horizon. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by George Speaight. |
| Object history | Note on the back of a photograph of this cloth, written by George Speaight: 'Scenery for Tiller Clowes marionette theatre, whih toured English villages c.1860. This example probably c.1900' |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is one of several 19th century scenic cloths for travelling marionette shows performed by the Clowes and Tiller companies, and possibly the only surviving group of 19th century scenic cloths of their type. They are rare survivals which offer first-hand evidence about marionette shows of their time, and about 19th century scene painting in general. They were given to the museum by George Speaight after he had looked after them in his attic for almost fifty years. He and Gerald Morice had bought them in the late 1940s from Harriet Clowes who remembered performing with them when she was a girl. At the same time they bought a quantity of marionettes which are now also in the museum's collection. Scene-painters were much in demand for marionette shows, as they were for the theatre generally, and when companies didn't have the expertise themselves, they advertised for scene- painters. Each play had several scenes, and to save on the expense of canvas, many of these cloths are painted on both sides, with different scenes. Some even have eyelets which may show their origins as sails. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.203-2007 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 11, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
