Description:
Bed valance decorated with polychrome wool crewel embroidery in a curvilinear floral and fruit design on a natural colored linen ground, and with a shaped hem (see also fragments, HD 270B.). Bed hangings were used to enclose space in which one slept to retain body heat and to creat a small room for privacy. Crewel work embroidery, decorated bed hangings reached their height of popularity from about 1720 to the 1770s, especially in cities such as Boston. This work demonstrated both a woman's skill as a seamstress, and a degree wealth and status that provided some time free from household duties. 11/12/08: Kathleen Smith of Textile Reproductions indicated that this valance is not part of the embroidered bed hangings made by Mary Ballantine Ashley in Historic Deerfield's collection (HD 2008.3 and HD F.106A & B) - it differs from the set in many ways, including linen ground fabric, motifs and general "feel."
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Linen; Wool Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.270A |
