Mrs Christie was an embroideress, teacher and author and was the first teacher of embroidery at the Royal College of Art. She encouraged the study of historical examples and in her own work she continued the English traditions of accurately reflecting nature and of technical virtuosity. One of the most striking characteristics of her work is the use of contrasting textures.

This example is worked on a figured linen ground with coloured silks in a variety of stitches including satin, stem, long and short, bullion, French knots, open work and couching. The design is based on a diamond-shaped lattice enclosing birds, plants, flowers, berries and butterflies.