Bed valance: T.25-1949

Awaiting location update

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown

Entities

Bed valance
Category: Greek Island Embroidery

Description

Linen bed valance of two joined panels.

Embroidered with red and green silk in cross stitch. Motif of stylized leaf, flower pot and ewer.

Legal notes

Given by Sir Augustus and Lady Daniel

Measurements and weight

Length: 218.5 cm
Width: 110 cm

Place(s) associated

Rhodes ⪼ Dodecanese ⪼ Greece

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1949-06-25) by Augustus, Daniel, Sir & Lady

Dating

18th Century
Circa 1701 CE - Circa 1801 CE

Note

The use of thick, loosely twisted silks for a cross stitch worked in both straight and diagonal lines gives a unique textural appearance to embroidery always attributed to Rhodes. Variuos theories have been advanced to explain the technique, ranging from the use of some form of padding (string, straw?) later removed to produce the raised effect, to the result of washing, with differential shrinkage between linen and silk, causing the stitching to become more prominent as the linen thightened. The stylized leaf, flower pot and ewer motifs, worked seperately, are equally characteristic of Rhodes.

Materials used in production

embroidery Silk
ground Linen

Techniques used in production

Weaving : Linen bed valance of two joined panels. Embroidered with red and green silk in cross stitch. Motif of stylized leaf, flower pot and ewer.
Embroidering