Bed curtain, wool embroidery

Dateca. 1680, remade later

MediumCrewel (worsted) embroidery on ground of linen warp, cotton weft. Wool binding. Printed cotton backing.

Dimensions98" X 86 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1938-235,E

DescriptionDouble wide bed curtain for foot of bed, made of crewel wool embroidery, backed with printed cotton in vermicelli pattern and topped with 28 rings, each 1 1/2" in diameter. Top of curtain has Velcro stitched to back for display. The complete set consists of two single curtains for head of bed, two double curtains for foot of bed, and three top valances now joined into one. The antique textile making up the face of the set has an all over pattern of twisting stems springing from rocky mounts and bearing exotic leaves, tendrils, and fruit. Among the foliage can be seen many different fanciful birds; worked primarily in shades of blue-green and yellow-green, with accents of russet (terra cotta) in back, chain, encroaching satin stitches and French knots in heavy crewels (2 ply worsteds) on twill-woven fabric of linen warp and cotton weft, natural color.