Embroidery Fragment
Textile MakerMade by
Unknown
Date17th century
MediumHand-stitched silk velvet with silver threads, linen and wool
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 7 3/8 x 9 1/4in. (7 3/8in., 23.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Connecticut Historical Society collection
DescriptionDark green velvet embroidered with silver-wrapped silk threads in a design of trefoils and stylized foliate patterns. The embroidery is worked on the velvet, and through a plain-woven linen backing. To give the embroidery a slightly raised and crisp appearance, it is worked over thick paper templates. This embroidery is actually three strips of fabric that have been cut from the original piece (said to be a "Pilgrim vest") and then reassembled with coarse stitches into a rectangular panel. There are patches of birdseye linen toweling stitched to the back in a rough attempt to mend areas of loss.
The embroidery was basted to a parchment interlining, backed with green tammy (plain-woven glazed wool), and bound with dark brown wool tape pieced out with dark brown cotton and a black ribbed silk. At the time of cataloguing, the backing was loosened enough to remove the parchment interlining, which is a fragment of a document. (See "Inscriptions.")
The embroidery was basted to a parchment interlining, backed with green tammy (plain-woven glazed wool), and bound with dark brown wool tape pieced out with dark brown cotton and a black ribbed silk. At the time of cataloguing, the backing was loosened enough to remove the parchment interlining, which is a fragment of a document. (See "Inscriptions.")
Object number1950.56.0
InscribedA piece of vellum that had been stitched into the needlework, and has since been removed, reads: "[Ge]orge the second by the Grace of God [?--indecipherable] in France an[?] / [cut off]ang [?] Reposing Especial trust [?] in the Loyal Govern[ment? -or? cut off] / [?]begg [?] nation [?] appointed an [cut off] / [?] Long Island ~ with [?] honor [?] and Enjoy a[? and cut off] / and to hold the said office of Governer [?] Jonah [?] / [?] to the [?] appertaining / presents for and during the term of one Whole [?] near E[--]ing / [cut off]ness our trusty and well beloved William Cosby [?] [--]ain General and / [--]iminal the same and [?] in our [?] New Y[ork --cut off]".NotesSubject Note: The Colonel "William Cosby" mentioned in the vellum found within the embroidery was the royal governor of New York from 1732 to 1736.Technique Note: Seventeenth-century embroidery fragment made from several pieces of fabric, possibly from clothing, stitched together.
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