Napkin
1820-1920 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Three identical square napkins made from naturally coloured ramie (from the family Urticacea genus Boehmeria) commonly called China grass, grass cloth or grass linen.
Each has a drawn threadwork border. Across one corner of each is a design of a dragon among clouds in double-sided embroidery executed in white thread in satin stitch and stem stitch.
Napkins curtains, handkerchiefs and other small ramie items were exported to Europe and America during the nineteenth century and probably into the twentieth century. The white on white effect and the drawn threadwork would not have been native Chinese techniques.
Each has a drawn threadwork border. Across one corner of each is a design of a dragon among clouds in double-sided embroidery executed in white thread in satin stitch and stem stitch.
Napkins curtains, handkerchiefs and other small ramie items were exported to Europe and America during the nineteenth century and probably into the twentieth century. The white on white effect and the drawn threadwork would not have been native Chinese techniques.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Ramie (grass cloth) with drawn threadwork border and embroidery decoration |
Brief description | Napkin, natural coloured bast fibre, from a set of three, China, 1820-1920 |
Physical description | Three identical square napkins made from naturally coloured ramie (from the family Urticacea genus Boehmeria) commonly called China grass, grass cloth or grass linen. Each has a drawn threadwork border. Across one corner of each is a design of a dragon among clouds in double-sided embroidery executed in white thread in satin stitch and stem stitch. Napkins curtains, handkerchiefs and other small ramie items were exported to Europe and America during the nineteenth century and probably into the twentieth century. The white on white effect and the drawn threadwork would not have been native Chinese techniques. |
Dimensions |
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Styles | |
Credit line | Given by Mrs E Wolstencroft |
Object history | Probably made for the Western export market. From a set of three (FE.41 to B-1983). Registered File number 1983/1430. |
Historical context | For a ramie hankerchief brought from China to America by John Robinson Sr. in 1836 see Carl L. Crossman The China Trade Princeton (N.J.): The Pyne Press 1972, illustration 215, page 245 NAL Bibliographic number: 11.L.31 |
Subjects depicted | |
Collection | |
Accession number | FE.41-1983 |
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Record created | February 12, 2000 |
Record URL |
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