1840 / 1870, Bebek

1840 / 1870, Bebek

Identifier
T.103-1934
Acquisition
Given by Maj. Lee
Carried out by
Hanim, Ayeshe (http://data.silknow.org/activity/designer)
Collection
Material
Technique
Depiction
Dimension
73 cm (length)
71 cm (width)
Production time
Production place
Type of object

Description

Napkin Borders joined together, cotton embroidered with silk in double darning and with metal thread in double darning, musabak, fishbone and satin stitch. There is a narrow geometric border workedin metal thread along either end and above this is a repeated, stylised motif alternating in colour: either cream and metal thread or blue and metal thread. To the left in each motif is a slightly curving stem and leaves worked in metal thread; branching from this, to the right, are two elongated blossoms and to the side of these are three small pairs of leaves in metal thread. At the end of the 18th century embroidery designs began to develop into rigid and heavily stylised borders for towels and napkins. The colours are strong and greater quantities of metal thread were used. The designs were consistently inventive. The colours in some 19th century embroideries were originally very bright but have faded to pleasing pastel shades. There is an embroidered inscription which translates as: 'Glory to God, Ayeshe Hanim daughter of Hasan Aga at Bebek'. Embroideries worked by this family were displayed at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.