COL.2018.72 | RSN Collection & Archive

Tablecloth

1920-1970

Probably United Kingdom

Approximately mid-20th-century cream linen tablecloth of embroidered panels checkered with needlelace, cutwork, and drawn thread panels.

Circa 1920-1970 cream linen tablecloth of embroidered panels checkered with whitework panels. Needlelace panels with 13 different motifs alternate with cutwork and drawn thread panels, panels embroidered with flowers (around the edge), and panels embroidered with fruits and nuts (in the centre). The panels embroidered with flowers, fruits, and nuts are done in wool entirely in stem and chain stitches and have a narrow hem stitch (drawn thread) border.

While the arrangement of the flower panels on the outside, the cutwork and drawn thread panels on the next level inwards, and the fruit and nut panels towards the centre of the tablecloth seems planned, the needlelace panels have not been as regularly distributed. The needlelace is a kind of filet lace made of knotted mesh with darned motifs. These squares involve buttonhole bars and variations on wrapped bars. The cutwork and drawn thread panels involve hem stitch (drawn thread), double twist stitch, woven wheel corners, and a cutwork and needlelace central diamond. All of the whitework panels have been made by hand.

Given the number of techniques on display in this tablecloth, it is possible that it was purchased as a kit, with perhaps the whitework panels already complete. The ink underdrawing present underneath the embroidery adds further weight to the kit theory. The panels have been assembled inexpertly with a rough whip stitch, and they do not all line up evenly.

The floral, fruit, and nut motifs include a daffodil, Virginia creeper, cistus, forget-me-not, currant, hazelnut, orange, cherry, currant, plum, wallflower, blackberry, almond, raspberry, pomegranate, strawberry, mulberry, apple, fuchsia, narcissus, hesperantha, chamomile, and several unidentified flowers.

width: 128cm
height: 128cm

linen
cotton thread
wool thread

Stem stitch