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Embroidered Picture (England)
This is a Embroidered picture. It is dated ca. 1670 and we acquired it in 2008. Its medium is silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk foundation and its technique is satin stitches and detached needle looping on satin weave. It is a part of the Textiles department.
Stumpwork and Storytelling
My first introduction to stumpwork occurred as a young girl, when my Scottish-American grandmother taught me how to embroider samplers. We gradually advanced to creating pictures in raised embroidery using padding, wire, and different types of dimensional embroidery stitches.
Completed stumpwork pieces in major museums include purses and bags, framed pictures, and panels used on small caskets, which were used to hold women’s personal belongings. The casket panel in the Museum’s collection is embroidered on a silk foundation using metallic and silk threads. Needle looping and buttonhole stitch are used to create a raised effect, and both the male and female figures are padded and appear in relief. Often, the padding material used was either horsehair or wool felt. The purpose of Stumpwork panels was to tell stories. Scenes of royalty, flora and fauna, and biblical narratives were dominant themes.
Stumpwork became very popular around the time of the English Civil War in the mid-1600s. During this time period, peddlers traveled throughout the country selling silver and gold threads, cord, ribbons, gimp, tassels, beads, and semi-precious stones. Currently, there is a revival of Stumpwork. Many internet sites offer detailed patterns and instructions on how to re-create this truly spectacular style of embroidery. The sumptuous color combinations and rich use of materials are simply stunning! Not to mention the charm of these beautiful and very original hand-embroidered pieces.
This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Stumpwork and Storytelling.
This object was
donated by
William H. Mathers and Myra Mathers.
It is credited Gift of Myra M. and William H. Mathers.
Its dimensions are
Frame H x W x D: 54.9 x 45.1 cm (21 5/8 x 17 3/4 in.)
Cite this object as
Embroidered Picture (England); silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk foundation; Frame H x W x D: 54.9 x 45.1 cm (21 5/8 x 17 3/4 in.); Gift of Myra M. and William H. Mathers; 2008-31-15
