Panel

Pamphlet

Circa 1860-1890

Probably Europe

Gothic-inspired beadwork and Berlin wool work panel dating to between approximately 1860 and 1890.

This Gothic Revival-style rectangular panel of Berlin wool work and beadwork from circa 1860-1890 depicts three floral motifs inside hexagonal frames. These floral motifs and hexagonal frames, made of white, grey, silver, yellow, brown, and dark green beads, are placed on a background of blue wool tent stitches. The flower petals are shaded by a gradient of bead colours from white to dark grey, with yellow centres. The hexagonal frames are formed of lines which extend beyond each corner and are shown to overlap by lines of white beads which function as highlights. Surrounding the blue shape is a rectangle of black wool tent stitches. The panel is stitched on a light purple canvas ground. The intended use of this panel is unknown. A tag in the top left corner, which includes what may be a name and a number, suggests this piece may once have been for sale or in an exhibition.

Berlin wool work was a popular style of embroidery in Europe and the Americas from the early decades of the 19th century through the end of the century. It is conventionally worked with colourful wool threads on a canvas grid, usually either in tent stitch or in cross stitch. Berlin wool work was often based on inexpensive and widely distributed paper patterns. Because Berlin wool work uses simple stitches and relied on inexpensive materials and patterns, it was accessible to embroiderers from a wide range of income and skill levels.

width: 62cm
height: 32cm

canvas
wool thread
beads

Tent stitch 
Whip stitch 

Berlin wool work 
Bead embroidery 

flower
bud
leaf

RSN.495