Loose cover, for a high-backed winged armchair, of linen embroidered with silk . It comprises two pieces, one cover for the chair back, wings and arms, and one cover for the cushion. Show covers, or 'false cases', like this, were made to be slipped on and off furniture. Often using particularly decorative or high value textiles, they might only be brought out during the short periods when a house was occupied by wealthy owners with several other residences, or if prestigious guests were to be received. This example, which shows the arms of a branch of the Holden family, was made for a wing chair, and may have been intended for a bedroom. The embroidery has been cut to fit the parts of the chair cover and was possibly a bed cover originally; it has been very well placed to show the pattern to best advantage. There may have been matching bed hangings, which were often decorated with this style and colouring of embroidery. John Cornforth gives a good summary of the practice of putting such show covers, or 'false cases', onto furniture, made of high value textiles that might only be brought out during short periods when a house was occupied. (Early Georgian Furniture, p.105). He mentions a number of houses where such covers are listed in inventories. Use of such covers could also be a way of varying the decoration of a room between summer and winter. Chair and cushion covers of linen embroidered with silk, English, 1725-1750.