Tent Panel thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Tent Panel

1830-1849 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Resht work, plain weave felted wool, patchwork, inlaid work, embroidered with silk in a variety of stitches predominantly chain stitch with some details in straight stitches. Note: researchers may use the terms applique and tambour when searching for this category of textile even though they are incorrect.
Red ground with a large but incomplete lobed 'mihrab' arch with a white ground edged in dark blue with a 2-plied cord in white and pink S-twisted silk. The white arch form is multi-pieced and then over embroidered with two thick meandering stems in light green chain stitch, each carrying leaves in light green, black or mid-blue and multi-coloured exotic blossoms and buds forming a clear and bold design. There are two multi-coloured buds [one incomplete]. The red ground carries a simple white floral meander at both sides holding smaller, less complicated flowers, buds and leaves, while in the uppermost section a trumpet flower either side in white, 'gold' and black, alongside small trefoil buds in blue and white are carried on white curving stems [embroidered]. Two green parakeets on this stem confront each other at the apex of the arch in two shades of green.

Embroidery thread: 2S; yellow, red[ faded to pink], white, black, grey, cream, light blue, blue, pink, red, beige and light green.
Inserts: yellow, two mid-blues, dark blue, light brown, white, two shades of light green, black, red, purple and pink.

See also 858-1892 which is probably the lower part of this panel. A section of about 22 cm would complete the panel.

A similar panel is incorporated into an early 19th century tent sold at Sotheby's in April 1991 and now in a private collection. See Hali issue 59 October 1991 p.118.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
woollen yarn, silk thread, weaving, patchwork, embroidering, sewing.
Brief description
felted wool; patchwork, 1800s, Persian
Physical description
Resht work, plain weave felted wool, patchwork, inlaid work, embroidered with silk in a variety of stitches predominantly chain stitch with some details in straight stitches. Note: researchers may use the terms applique and tambour when searching for this category of textile even though they are incorrect.
Red ground with a large but incomplete lobed 'mihrab' arch with a white ground edged in dark blue with a 2-plied cord in white and pink S-twisted silk. The white arch form is multi-pieced and then over embroidered with two thick meandering stems in light green chain stitch, each carrying leaves in light green, black or mid-blue and multi-coloured exotic blossoms and buds forming a clear and bold design. There are two multi-coloured buds [one incomplete]. The red ground carries a simple white floral meander at both sides holding smaller, less complicated flowers, buds and leaves, while in the uppermost section a trumpet flower either side in white, 'gold' and black, alongside small trefoil buds in blue and white are carried on white curving stems [embroidered]. Two green parakeets on this stem confront each other at the apex of the arch in two shades of green.

Embroidery thread: 2S; yellow, red[ faded to pink], white, black, grey, cream, light blue, blue, pink, red, beige and light green.
Inserts: yellow, two mid-blues, dark blue, light brown, white, two shades of light green, black, red, purple and pink.

See also 858-1892 which is probably the lower part of this panel. A section of about 22 cm would complete the panel.

A similar panel is incorporated into an early 19th century tent sold at Sotheby's in April 1991 and now in a private collection. See Hali issue 59 October 1991 p.118.
Dimensions
  • Length: 65.5cm
  • Width: 43.5cm
Object history
Bought for £1:10s from Mrs. C. Morrell, Oxford. 'Part of Prayer Rug' RPS 93789-1899.
Bibliographic reference
Published in 'Iranian Textiles' by Jennifer Wearden and Patricia L Baker (V&A Publishing, 2010) Plate 79.
Collection
Accession number
787-1899

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

Record createdApril 9, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest