Vintage and Antique Linens by Em's Heart
Antique Society Silk
Embroidered "Roses" Centerpiece
Item Number T27106
The society silk style of embroidery began as a past time in England long before it came to America. For some women it eventually became a way to earn a living from home. Perhaps the original American cottage industry, fine silk embroideries could be produced at home and then sold as lots to linen houses for sale in a wider market. "Society silk" is a popular reference to the Royal Society of Embroidery that produced the silk floss, embroidery patterns and promoted the cottage industry of embroidering finer pieces. Additionally, they promoted embroidery "clubs" that fostered friendly competition between members to produce the finest work. This glorious piece of embroidery came from that period and represents the very best of technique, materials and design.
Do you look for only the best?
Like a botanical summary of a full life, a happy marriage, or a joyous, long awaited birth....a perfect rose in full bloom here has captured a needle workers best effort...the pinnacle, the crest, the summit of her life long attention to the details and execution of a complex art form ....this is a piece by which all her others were surely judged.
A crisp, creamy antique linen centerpiece is hand embroidered with brilliant red silks in a refreshingly simple border of roses in every stage of bloom, from bud to seed. The edge is finished in a gracefully undulating repeating pattern that, like a perfect frame, directs the eye to the picture and takes no applause for itself. No detail was overlooked -- thorns, petals, upturned leaves. Even the cut stems are carefully shaded. Very minor age in the linen lawn is hardly noticeable, and a single pin hole and a palest pink stain on the edge threads, see below, can be overlooked. Museum quality. Excellent condition, offered as found. c.1890 - 1910. 23"
Item Sold
Antique linen centerpiece, society silk embroidery and design
Above photo best for color. The linen ground is cream.