Terms and conditions of use
Embroidery (Firescreen)
1783
- Medium
- linen, silk thread
- Measurements
- 56.0 × 56.3 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- (England)
- Inscription
- stitched in beige silk thread l.l.: Mary Richardson Her Work 1783
- Accession Number
- D21-1972
- Department
- International Fashion and Textiles
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Mrs A. B. Kelly, 1972
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
A bouquet of naturalistic twining flowers, including roses, honeysuckles and chrysanthemums tied with a ribbon, was a popular decorative choice for firescreens and upholstery in the 1760s. Similar floral designs appeared on printing patterns produced at Spitalfields, London, and were laden with symbolism. The colourful butterflies placed at random add a note of personal whimsy to this unconventional half-finished piece, perhaps chosen from one of the many illustrated miscellanies of natural history issued by print sellers such as John Overton, or copied from life.
- Physical description
- Linen sampler with silk thread embroidery depicting an asymmetrical bunch of flowers tied with a ribbon worked in tent stitch, french knots and algerian eye stitch. "Mary Richardson, her work 1783" worked at the bottom of the sampler. The black tent stitched background appears unfinished.
