An Exhibition of British Embroidery from the 16th and 17th centuries
At Our Witney Showrooms
From 11th to 24th May 2008
During the 16th century textiles dominated the furnishings of the great houses of Europe. England and Scotland were no exception to this fashion. A Golden Age of Embroidery was to continue to the mid-17th century and this exhibition of examples from the period is a rare opportunity to explore this fascinating and exotic world of images and stories from political, religious and secular sources.
A number of very fine needlework panels depicting Jephthah and his Daughter, Judith and Holofernes, the Judgement of Solomon, the Story of Abraham will be exhibited as will examples showing the symbolic meaning of some of the embroidered motifs used in secular pictures. Embroideries worked to decorate domestic objects such as mirrors, caskets, cushions and purses will also be on show as will small decorative items for the fashionably dressed male or female.
One reason textiles were important was because they were a serious indication of the owners wealth. For the visitor to the house, the greater the use of silk, silver and gold threads the more exotic the textile and the more significant their host in society.
Because of the rarity of fine early embroideries mounting an exhibition of a suitably high standard can only be a occasional event so it is with special pleasure we welcome you to this exhibition.
Joy & Stephen Jarrett and Rebecca Scott.
A full colour catalogue will be available. Most of the exhibits are for sale and will be displayed against a background of oak and walnut furniture from the period.
For further information please contact Joy Jarrett.
Tel: 01993 703902 :: Fax: 01993 779852 ::
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