Not currently on display at the V&A

Panel

1600-1650 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Lace-making developed in England during the 16th century in response to the growth in personal wealth and to changes in fashionable dress. Needle lace, still then seen as a branch of embroidery, was made in professional workshops in London. But through the teaching of embroidery as a domestic skill with needle lace stitches in the repertoire, lace was also made at home, for the decoration of household linen, clothing and other objects. This piece may have been made to decorate a linen cover.

The most popular subjects for the needlework pictures and other types of object to which this lace is related, were scenes from the Old Testament of the Bible and classical mythology, as well as abundant plant and animal life. This piece includes motifs which the maker would have found in pattern books and which could have also been used for embroidery. Cupid, the pagan god of love, is firing his bow and arrow to ensnare a lady, who may be identified by her crown as a queen or princess.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Needle lace worked in linen thread
Brief description
Panel of needle lace depicting Cupid, English, 1600-1650
Physical description
Small panel of needle lace depicting a blindfolded cupid firing his bow and arrow at a crowned lady with black silk stitches depicting her eyes, and a dog at her feet. The two figures flank a large pear tree. In another piece of needle lace with the same design in the Museum's collection T.124-1924 the scene continues with Adam and Eve.
The lace has a narrow border at top and bottom, which would have made it suitable for possible use as an insertion in a piece of woven linen.
Dimensions
  • Length: 145mm
  • Width: 65mm
Credit line
Given by Joan Hurst through Art Fund
Subject depicted
Summary
Lace-making developed in England during the 16th century in response to the growth in personal wealth and to changes in fashionable dress. Needle lace, still then seen as a branch of embroidery, was made in professional workshops in London. But through the teaching of embroidery as a domestic skill with needle lace stitches in the repertoire, lace was also made at home, for the decoration of household linen, clothing and other objects. This piece may have been made to decorate a linen cover.

The most popular subjects for the needlework pictures and other types of object to which this lace is related, were scenes from the Old Testament of the Bible and classical mythology, as well as abundant plant and animal life. This piece includes motifs which the maker would have found in pattern books and which could have also been used for embroidery. Cupid, the pagan god of love, is firing his bow and arrow to ensnare a lady, who may be identified by her crown as a queen or princess.
Associated object
T.124-1924 (Version)
Collection
Accession number
T.35-2002

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Record createdDecember 10, 2002
Record URL
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