Valance
1580-1599 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Valances were the borders or bands that ran around the two sides and end of an Elizabethan bed, hiding the bed rail or the place from which the bed curtains were suspended. They formed a frieze that was particularly suitable for embroidery with figure subjects, often featuring a narrative to provide interest and entertainment. Sets of bed hangings also created a draught-free and private sleeping compartment.
The style and workmanship of these valances suggests that they were made in a professional workshop either in France itself or under strong French influence. Both show scenes from the Metamorphoses by the Latin poet Ovid : the death of Adonis, and the transformation of Myrrha.
The style and workmanship of these valances suggests that they were made in a professional workshop either in France itself or under strong French influence. Both show scenes from the Metamorphoses by the Latin poet Ovid : the death of Adonis, and the transformation of Myrrha.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | wool and silk embroidery on linen canvas |
| Brief description | Pair of embroidered valances, 1580-1599, French or English, depicting scenes of Venus and Adonis and of Myrrha |
| Physical description | Embroidered in wool and silk on linen canvas, mainly in tent stitch, with some raised work. |
| Gallery label |
|
| Object history | The valances were purchased from the Churchwardens of Purley Church, near Reading, Berkshire. A letter on file from Rev Dudley Matthews states that "nothing definite is known as to the history of the embroidery. It has for some years been hung in the Vestry and is said to have been used as an altar cloth." |
| Literary reference | Metamorphoses |
| Summary | Valances were the borders or bands that ran around the two sides and end of an Elizabethan bed, hiding the bed rail or the place from which the bed curtains were suspended. They formed a frieze that was particularly suitable for embroidery with figure subjects, often featuring a narrative to provide interest and entertainment. Sets of bed hangings also created a draught-free and private sleeping compartment. The style and workmanship of these valances suggests that they were made in a professional workshop either in France itself or under strong French influence. Both show scenes from the Metamorphoses by the Latin poet Ovid : the death of Adonis, and the transformation of Myrrha. |
| Bibliographic reference | John Lea Nevinson, Catalogue of English Domestic Embroidery of the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries, Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Textiles, London: HMSO, 1938, p.32-33 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 879&a-1904 |
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 | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
