Coif
1600-1629 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This coif illustrates how many embroidery patterns were applied to linen. From the 16th century the publication of embroidery pattern books published spread new and fashionable designs throughout Europe. These could be transferred onto linen by pricking holes along the outlines, pouncing (dusting with fine black powder), then joining the dots with a fine brush and black ink. Professional embroiderers and artists were sometimes hired to draw new patterns freehand.
By the early 17th century, embroidery designs were being printed directly onto linen, as seen in this example. Although almost all worn away now, the remnants of speckling stitch in black silk, silver thread and spangles can still be seen outlining the printed design.
By the early 17th century, embroidery designs were being printed directly onto linen, as seen in this example. Although almost all worn away now, the remnants of speckling stitch in black silk, silver thread and spangles can still be seen outlining the printed design.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, silk thread, silver, ink; printed and hand-embroidered |
| Brief description | A woman's coif of linen, 1600-1629, British; printed and embroidered in silver thread, flowers, fruits, animals, insects |
| Physical description | A coif of linen printed in black ink in a design of sprouting plants including roses, strawberries, carnations, raspberries, grapes, columbine and honeysuckle. These are interspersed with birds, a monkey, leopard, lion, rabbit, squirrel, moth, snake caterpillars, beetles and bees. This printed design is identical with that of another piece of printed linen, T.74-1931. The design has been embroidered with black silk thread in speckling stitch couched over with silver spangles and white silk thread wrapped with silver strip, almost all of which is now worn away. The coif has cheek pieces and a widow's peak; the top seam and crown were later unpicked for flat display. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This coif illustrates how many embroidery patterns were applied to linen. From the 16th century the publication of embroidery pattern books published spread new and fashionable designs throughout Europe. These could be transferred onto linen by pricking holes along the outlines, pouncing (dusting with fine black powder), then joining the dots with a fine brush and black ink. Professional embroiderers and artists were sometimes hired to draw new patterns freehand. By the early 17th century, embroidery designs were being printed directly onto linen, as seen in this example. Although almost all worn away now, the remnants of speckling stitch in black silk, silver thread and spangles can still be seen outlining the printed design. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.21-1946 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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