Vintage and Antique Linens by Em's Heart
Antique Society Silk
Embroidered Tea Cloth
"Rose Garden"
Item Number T27206
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.
She must have had a rose garden...must have loved the
delicious fragrance and tender softness of each petal...
Like a well tended garden, no aphids were found on this antique society silk embroidered roses "sampler"....at least six different varieties of Rose are depicted in superb hand needle work on this creamy linen tea cloth. Absolutely splendid...a delight to behold in every way, from the wispy variegated border to the shading and couching (padding) of an experienced embroidress at the peak of her needle working career...
As one who cultivates roses knows, when you cut them to bring inside you also nip the thorns so none can bite you whilst you arrange them...notice on these roses that most of the thorns have been nipped, but as in real life, the wounds remain...some of us can not avoid the deeper meaning of that detail...
Very minor age in the linen lawn is hardly noticeable, and a single tiny hole and a smudge on the edge, see below, can be overlooked. Museum quality. Excellent condition, offered as found. c.1890 - 1910. 28"
Item Sold
Antique linen tea cloth, society silk embroidery and design
$345
Can you smell them? OH!!
My wonderful friend, Donna found this illustration from the 1897-1898 issue of New Needle and Hook by Belding Bros. & Co....remarkable that something so beautiful could come from such simple instructions! Her book on Society Silk embroidery will be out next year...
