Embroidered Picture thumbnail 1
Embroidered Picture thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Embroidered Picture

ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Picture of embroidered white satin with two red stripes in each selvedge and embroidered with coloured silk and chenille in long and short, stem, satin, split and chain stitches with French knots and laid and couched work.

The lower picture shows part of the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. On the left, Thisbe holding her scarf, discovers the dead Pyramus beneath a palm tree. In the centre is the lion and on the right Thisbe appears again in an arbour. The characters are in late 17th century costume. In the background are other trees, flowers and birds, while the sun emerges from the clouds above.

The upper picture shows a country house and a walled garden in a landscape. The windows of the house are made of mica. Outside the wall is a figure in striped clothing standing beneath a palm tree, on the top of which is perched a bird eating some dates. Other tree, flowers and birds, butterfly and snail are in the background and overhead, the sun emerges from a cloud. This may intend as a representation of Pyramus peering through the chink of the wall to see Thisbe. The design is drawn on the silk in brown ink and is only partially worked. Bordered by a narrow strip of linen on all four sides.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered satin with coloured silk and chenille, linen
Brief description
Picture of embroidered satin with coloured silk and chenille, England, ca. 1700
Physical description
Picture of embroidered white satin with two red stripes in each selvedge and embroidered with coloured silk and chenille in long and short, stem, satin, split and chain stitches with French knots and laid and couched work.

The lower picture shows part of the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. On the left, Thisbe holding her scarf, discovers the dead Pyramus beneath a palm tree. In the centre is the lion and on the right Thisbe appears again in an arbour. The characters are in late 17th century costume. In the background are other trees, flowers and birds, while the sun emerges from the clouds above.

The upper picture shows a country house and a walled garden in a landscape. The windows of the house are made of mica. Outside the wall is a figure in striped clothing standing beneath a palm tree, on the top of which is perched a bird eating some dates. Other tree, flowers and birds, butterfly and snail are in the background and overhead, the sun emerges from a cloud. This may intend as a representation of Pyramus peering through the chink of the wall to see Thisbe. The design is drawn on the silk in brown ink and is only partially worked. Bordered by a narrow strip of linen on all four sides.
Dimensions
  • Length: 21.5in
  • Width: 14.5in
Credit line
Given by Rev. G. Kestell-Cornish
Collection
Accession number
T.92-1964

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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