Embroidery Design
ca.1836-1854 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
These designs on graph paper for embroidery in Berlin woolwork were published by L.W. Wittich in Berlin. This technique of embroidery was practised in the nineteenth century, usually in worsted (woollen) yarns following a coloured pattern drawn on graph paper. It is called Berlin woolwork because the early major supplies of these patterns, yarns, and canvas came from Berlin. The designs were collected by Sarah Bland (1810-1905) about 1836-1854.
These designs are in an album which includes Bland's collection of her own botanically accurate designs, simplified patterns from accurate botanical observation, patterns traced from magazines, commercial, printed Berlin wool work patterns, gifts of patterns, including commercial ones from friends and relatives. The designs include those for petit-point, bead-work, decoration for dresses, collars and cuffs, aprons, slippers, tablecloths and covers, cushions, bags, penwipers, initial letters, alphabets etc. In Bland's case, the gift of designs demonstrates connections between relatives of merchant and banking families and is of historical significance in bonding such families.
These designs are in an album which includes Bland's collection of her own botanically accurate designs, simplified patterns from accurate botanical observation, patterns traced from magazines, commercial, printed Berlin wool work patterns, gifts of patterns, including commercial ones from friends and relatives. The designs include those for petit-point, bead-work, decoration for dresses, collars and cuffs, aprons, slippers, tablecloths and covers, cushions, bags, penwipers, initial letters, alphabets etc. In Bland's case, the gift of designs demonstrates connections between relatives of merchant and banking families and is of historical significance in bonding such families.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Pen and ink and watercolour on graph paper |
Brief description | Floral design patterns on a graph paper, ca. 1836-1854, by Sarah Bland (1810-1905). |
Physical description | Floral design patterns on graph paper. Top left hand corner has design in colour while the other designs are in black ink. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'Berlin bei L.W. Wittich, [illegible] Str. no 43.' (Inscription is underneath the design but pasted into the album sideways, on left hand side of the design.)
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Credit line | Given by Mrs D. McGregor |
Object history | Sarah Bland may have copied this as it is in her album (E.372-1967). Historical significance: Within the study of embroidery, men tend to be recorded as professional embroiderers or pattern drawers, whereas women worked more ambigiously with designs for embroidery. Women's amateur as opposed to professional designs for embroidery raise problems because amateur work has tended to be regarded as less significant. Embroidery was a pastime but was also an economic activity. Upper middle class women's property was closely linked to their status within the family as daughters, wives and widows and only allowed semi-independence. This semi-independence was underpinned by legal, politial, and social practices which subordinated them. Nevertheless, it was combined with recognition of their economic worth within the family enterprise. However, women were restricted as they often could not be openly involved in working for money. See L. Davidoff and C. Hall (Reference Tab). Bland could not be seen to be working but it is likely that she embroidered accessories for dress, penwipers, tablecloths, book covers, and cushions as gifts which were her contribution to the household, wider family, and friendship. The quality of her samplers and designs shows the value of such gifts in terms of relationships with family and friends. Material about the perceptions of a woman's role is pertinent to the discourse on women and therefore gender history. In Bland's case, the gift of designs demonstrates connections between relatives of merchant and banking families and is of historical significance in bonding between such families. |
Historical context | Sarah Bland (1810-1905) was listed as a 'gentlewoman' in the 1851 census return and is not recorded as having any occupation in the census returns for 1871 and 1901 which is consistent with her social status. |
Production | There are three samplers by Sarah Bland in the collection of the Textiles and Fashion Department: T.238-1967; T.239-1967 and T.240-1967. |
Summary | These designs on graph paper for embroidery in Berlin woolwork were published by L.W. Wittich in Berlin. This technique of embroidery was practised in the nineteenth century, usually in worsted (woollen) yarns following a coloured pattern drawn on graph paper. It is called Berlin woolwork because the early major supplies of these patterns, yarns, and canvas came from Berlin. The designs were collected by Sarah Bland (1810-1905) about 1836-1854. These designs are in an album which includes Bland's collection of her own botanically accurate designs, simplified patterns from accurate botanical observation, patterns traced from magazines, commercial, printed Berlin wool work patterns, gifts of patterns, including commercial ones from friends and relatives. The designs include those for petit-point, bead-work, decoration for dresses, collars and cuffs, aprons, slippers, tablecloths and covers, cushions, bags, penwipers, initial letters, alphabets etc. In Bland's case, the gift of designs demonstrates connections between relatives of merchant and banking families and is of historical significance in bonding such families. |
Associated objects |
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Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | E.372:7-1967 |
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Record created | March 27, 2009 |
Record URL |
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