Crewel Bedhangings
Second quarter 18th c

A part set of bedhangings beautiful embroidered with good colours and attractive design. Ideal to recreate hangings for a four poster or half tester  bed. There was a label attached to one of the curtains: Mrs M M Pollard, East Cranhain, Cirencester.

Our set comprises four curtains, one pair wider for the head of the bed, the other narrower for the foot.  Three gathered valances for the top of the bed (two sides and bed end); a pair of tie backs; two long narrow lengths of border, which could be used for trim on a bedcover.  There are also quite a few short border pieces plus two squarish pieces for the centre of bedcover, cushions etc. Do look at all the photos in the three entries. A thought - if you did not like the slightly patchy discoloured white dimity cotton, would be to cut the borders and re-apply to a suitable new cotton.

This type of bed hanging would have been worked by a very accomplished lady of the house. I have had these cleaned by a specialist. Obviously I want to sell the four main curtains together, and will offer the other pieces to the buyer.

Cataloguing

1/2 - A pair of dimity curtains of fine ribed cotton with three embroidered edges, the crewel worsted woolwork finely embroidered with three colourful flowerheads, a pink (carnation) yellow and red striped tulip, with pale blue silk stamens, a deep pink rose with palest yellow silk knotted centre, and a blue star shaped flower, shaded green leaves and tendrils, the borders 5 in; 13 cm wide, all lined with fine linen.

The dimity is in loom widths 17 in; 44 cm selvedge to selvedge. Each curtain is made of 4 loom widths.

7ft 2 in x 5ft 6 in; 2.20 x 1.68 m drop.

3/4 -  Another pair, this time with embroidered borders to one side and the bottom, lined with fine linen. 7ft 1 in x 4ft 5 in; 2.15 x 1.35 m wide.

Each made up of 4 loom widths of dimity.

5. Long lengths:

a -1 lengths 12ft 6 in x 5 1/2 in;  3.8 m x 14 cm

b -1 length 10 ft x 4 in; 3.05 m x 10 cm

6 - 2 tie backs each with six flowers, similar to above, edged with lovely terracotta and pink/blue wool braid. 31 x 6 in; 79 x 15 cm.

7. Four short border lengths with pieces of dimity 18 x 16  in; 48 x 40 cm.

8. A panel with a several flowers and leaves including tulip, carnation, roses emerging from a shell motif, between a top and lower boder with similar meandering flowers, all in bright shades of yellow, blue, red, pink and green on a off white dimity ground.  21 x 19 in; 53 x 49 cm.

9. Another piece similar.15 x 21  in; 40 x 54 cm

9. There are also 6 smaller lengths. 3 @ 26 1/2 in; 68 cm and 2 @ 17 1/2 in; 45 cm.

Condition

1/2 -  Curtains: Both borders in very good condition apart from one with small area of damage 3 x 1 1/2  in; 6 x 4 cm consisting of a hole and another hole below. Lower area centre of right hand curtain in the photo.  Both with very slight discolouration in parts to the dimity cotton.  The linings all have issues and need to be removed and relined.

3 -  Curtain: The left hand border is damaged 2 foot; 60 cm down from the top. The damage 5 x 1 in; 13 x 2.5 cm hole*. Again slight discolouration. Linings have damage, so suggest reline.

4 -  Curtain: Right hand embroidered side has a 5 in; 13 cm tear to top right hand side, a couple of small holes and then 4 1/2 in; 11 cm tear.  As there is so much of this embroidery in the form of strips, one could easily replace the damage or repair.  Damaged linings, replace.

5. Valances, all in very good condition.

Valance 1 there is staining to the cotton dimity ground, but the area of embroidery is in excellent condition. One very small mark.

Valance 2 is in good condition.

Valance 3 is made of up two pieces. One piece is lightly stained, the other in good condition.

6 - Very good condition.

7 - Embroidery in very good condition. Dimity slightly patchy.

8 - Excellent condition.

9 - Excellent condition.

*There are also plenty of extra pieces for repairs.

Comments

Crewel Embroidered Bed Hangings in Old and New England by Ann Pollard Rowe. The Textile Museum, Washington DC.

Price: £3,000 | $3,750 | €3,600

Ref N°: 8543/4/5