The Oxburgh Hangings
Panel
ca. 1570 (made)
ca. 1570 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Making up large decorative hangings from a number of smaller panels which were then applied to a sympathetic background material, was a popular pastime of well to do ladies in the 16th century. This allowed for a group of women to work on individual panels at the same time. If required, the hanging could be dismantled at a later stage and the panels re-used. In the case of this hanging it seems likely that the panels were left unused until the 17th century.
People
It is very rare to be able to identify surviving embroideries as having been owned or worked by royalty. Unfortunately for the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, she had plenty of time while imprisoned to work on numerous embroideries, some of which have her initials or cipher. This activity must have both filled her time and occupied her mind as many of the emblems or mottoes used have more significance than is immediately apparent.
Subjects Depicted
The elephant is taken from C. Gesner Icones Animalium.
Making up large decorative hangings from a number of smaller panels which were then applied to a sympathetic background material, was a popular pastime of well to do ladies in the 16th century. This allowed for a group of women to work on individual panels at the same time. If required, the hanging could be dismantled at a later stage and the panels re-used. In the case of this hanging it seems likely that the panels were left unused until the 17th century.
People
It is very rare to be able to identify surviving embroideries as having been owned or worked by royalty. Unfortunately for the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, she had plenty of time while imprisoned to work on numerous embroideries, some of which have her initials or cipher. This activity must have both filled her time and occupied her mind as many of the emblems or mottoes used have more significance than is immediately apparent.
Subjects Depicted
The elephant is taken from C. Gesner Icones Animalium.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Oxburgh Hangings (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered linen canvas with silk, gold and silver threads |
| Brief description | Textile panel 'The Oxburgh Hangings' of embroidered linen canvas with silk, gold and silver threads, made by Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth Talbot, probably made in Sheffield, ca. 1570 |
| Physical description | Textile panel of embroidered linen canvas with silk, gold and silver threads in cross stitch. Embroidered square with a cross shape depicting an elephant (right side view) standing in water on the edge is a partially embroidered jungle (tree on left is half-finished) against a blue sky background. There is a banner inscription which curls around, reading 'ELEPHANT'. Behind the cross in the corners, are two birds in flight and two flower sprigs on green grass. Originally all the panels were applied to a green velvet background, and parts of which survive on the central panel and on several of the smaller panels. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'ELEPHANT' (Embroidered on a banner at the top of the tapestry) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Presented by Art Fund |
| Object history | Made by Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury and members of her household; English (probably Sheffield Castle where Mary was imprisoned); 1570-1585. The Oxburgh Hanging (detail of an elephant), canvas work embroidery, formerly at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Making up large decorative hangings from a number of smaller panels which were then applied to a sympathetic background material, was a popular pastime of well to do ladies in the 16th century. This allowed for a group of women to work on individual panels at the same time. If required, the hanging could be dismantled at a later stage and the panels re-used. In the case of this hanging it seems likely that the panels were left unused until the 17th century. People It is very rare to be able to identify surviving embroideries as having been owned or worked by royalty. Unfortunately for the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, she had plenty of time while imprisoned to work on numerous embroideries, some of which have her initials or cipher. This activity must have both filled her time and occupied her mind as many of the emblems or mottoes used have more significance than is immediately apparent. Subjects Depicted The elephant is taken from C. Gesner Icones Animalium. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.33GG-1955 |
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| Record created | January 22, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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