Quilt, Silk Embroidered

Date1700-1725

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a cotton ground (fiber identification by microscope)

Dimensions80" x 80"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1953-735

DescriptionThis is a bedcover of natural color cotton, quilted and embroidered with multicolor silks. The quilt is embroidered in shades of light and dark green, blues, pink, red, yellow-gold, and light brown with pale yellow background quilting in an allover modified diamond pattern. A central oval cartouche is edged with feathery pointed leaves enclosing a flowering tree growing from hilly ground with an exotic bird resembling a peacock at the center of the tree. The field surrounding the center cartouche features individual flowering trees interspersed with exotic flying birds. The inner quadrants hold four additional flowering branches, each branch enclosed by feathery pointed leaves. The narrow outer border has a running vine pattern with leaves, buds, and three-lobed flowers. The embroidery is worked with parallel chain stitches and the background quilting in backstitches. The embroidery and quilting are worked through thin cotton batting and cotton backing. Later additional modern backing.

Technical information: The panels consist of one 11 3/4" and three 22 3/4" widths stitched together, padded and quilted. The ground textile is stained and yellowed and the background silk quilting is missing in places, leaving stitch holes.
Label TextIn the early eighteenth century, fashionable wealthy householders favored tall-post bedsteads covered with quilts embroidered in exotic motifs inspired by Indian imported textiles. This example is worked with multicolor silks and quilted with backstitches. The quilt was probably made by a professional needleworker.