Description: Textile fragment of cotton mull embroidered in tambour. the inside (non-embroidered) edge is raw, and although it is shaped like a fichu, the fragment may originally have been the hem to a late 1790s or early 1800s gown skirt. It was originally accessioned as a fichu, I think because of its triangular shape, but I'm betting (especially since the long straight end is raw) instead it was a section of embroidery removed from a gown hem. The fragment came to the museum in 1976 as part of a large donation from Mrs. Fred Thompson (nee Julia Acheson, 1916-2000) of New York City. Julia Acheson was born in Raymond, Washington, the daughter of Barclay and Louise Acheson, and the niece of Lila and DeWitt Wallace who founded Reader's Digest. her husband Fred Thompson had been (a?) vice president of the New York Times. All the items of clothing and textiles (over 200) that came with the gift had, according to the donor, descended in her family. Historic Deerfield was happy to acquire this gift, as the objects increased our holdings in the areas of clothing and textiles. This particular fragment is a terrific illustration of embroidered Indian cottons that were popular in western fashion during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Subjects: Textile fabrics; Cotton; Embroidery; polychrome; Silk Link to share this object record: https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+T.093 |