This bed-cover has been adapted from a length of fabric originally intended to be made into a skirt. The arcades enclosing European figures are a variation on the typical petticoat design of the mid-18th century. The fabric was apparently never made up as a skirt but converted into a flat bedspread, in which the arcaded border would hang down around the sides of the bed, and the borderless top end would be tucked in at the bed-head.
Physical description
Bedspread made out of a petticoat length of painted and dyed cotton chintz. Decorated with floral garlands. Border decorated with scenes with figures and animals.
Four scenes repeat alternately: a promenade with umbrella and lute, two figures seated at a gateleg table arranging flowers, two figures seated beneath a chandelier with one playing a dulcimer and the other a flute, and two figures seated at a gateleg table taking refreshments. At the selvage edges is a blue band. There are 13 short brocaded shots of red cotton indicating where the design begins.
The bedspread is composed of two long petticoat pieces joined down the centre. The end border is composed of a carefully applied piece from another section of the petticoat's border.
Place of Origin
Coromandel Coast, India (south, made)
Date
3rd quarter 18th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Painted and dyed cotton chintz
Dimensions
Height: 248.8 cm, Width: 215.8 cm, Height: 98 in, Width: 85 in, Length: 61 in repeat, Length: 155 cm repeat
Object history note
Intended for the patterned underskirts worn with open robes of the period, the fabric was made in India, probably under Dutch patronage. Later converted into a bedspread.
Descriptive line
Bedspread made out of a petticoat of painted and dyed cotton chintz, South Coromandel Coast, 3rd quarter of 18th century
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
J.Irwin and K.Brett, Origins of Chintz, London, 1970, cat.no.108, plate 99. Swallow, Deborah and John Guy eds. Arts of India: 1550-1900. text by Rosemary Crill, John Guy, Veronica Murphy, Susan Stronge and Deborah Swallow. London : V&A Publications, 1990. 240 p., ill. ISBN 1851770224, p.168, pl.145
Subjects depicted
Figures; Bird; Floral pattern; Dog (animal)
Categories
Textiles; Clothing; Interiors
Collection code
SSEA
