The Oxburgh Hangings
Panel
ca. 1570 (made)
ca. 1570 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Making up large decorative hangings from a number of smaller panels which were then applied to a sympathetic background material, was a popular pastime of well to do ladies in the 16th century. This allowed for a group of women to work on individual panels at the same time. If required, the hanging could be dismantled at a later stage and the panels re-used.
People
It is very rare to be able to identify surviving embroideries as having been owned or worked by royalty. Unfortunately for the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, she had plenty of time while imprisoned to work on numerous embroideries, some of which have her initials or cipher. This activity must have both filled her time and occupied her mind and many of the emblems or mottoes used have more significance than is immediately apparent.
Materials & Making
Although relatively costly silk, silver and gold threads are used in the Oxburgh embroideries, the tent stitch used is one of the simplest to work. The result was a set of both serviceable and decorative panels which when mounted together would produce a functional and hardwearing hanging.
Making up large decorative hangings from a number of smaller panels which were then applied to a sympathetic background material, was a popular pastime of well to do ladies in the 16th century. This allowed for a group of women to work on individual panels at the same time. If required, the hanging could be dismantled at a later stage and the panels re-used.
People
It is very rare to be able to identify surviving embroideries as having been owned or worked by royalty. Unfortunately for the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, she had plenty of time while imprisoned to work on numerous embroideries, some of which have her initials or cipher. This activity must have both filled her time and occupied her mind and many of the emblems or mottoes used have more significance than is immediately apparent.
Materials & Making
Although relatively costly silk, silver and gold threads are used in the Oxburgh embroideries, the tent stitch used is one of the simplest to work. The result was a set of both serviceable and decorative panels which when mounted together would produce a functional and hardwearing hanging.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Oxburgh Hangings (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered linen with silk, gold and silver threads |
| Brief description | Textile panel 'The Oxburgh Hangings' of embroidered linen with silk, gold and silver threads, possibly made by Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth Talbot, probably made in Sheffield, ca. 1570 |
| Physical description | Textile panel of embroidered linen with silk, gold and silver threads in cross stitch. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | A MONSTER OF THE SEA (Embroidered on scrolls) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Presented by Art Fund |
| Object history | Made by Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury and members of her household. Originally all the panels were applied to a green velvet background, parts of which survive on the central panel and on several of the smaller panels. Probably made in Sheffield Castle where Mary was imprisoned. The Oxburgh Hangings. Hanging with applied panels of embroidery, formerly at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Making up large decorative hangings from a number of smaller panels which were then applied to a sympathetic background material, was a popular pastime of well to do ladies in the 16th century. This allowed for a group of women to work on individual panels at the same time. If required, the hanging could be dismantled at a later stage and the panels re-used. People It is very rare to be able to identify surviving embroideries as having been owned or worked by royalty. Unfortunately for the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, she had plenty of time while imprisoned to work on numerous embroideries, some of which have her initials or cipher. This activity must have both filled her time and occupied her mind and many of the emblems or mottoes used have more significance than is immediately apparent. Materials & Making Although relatively costly silk, silver and gold threads are used in the Oxburgh embroideries, the tent stitch used is one of the simplest to work. The result was a set of both serviceable and decorative panels which when mounted together would produce a functional and hardwearing hanging. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.33JJ-1955 |
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| Record created | April 8, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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