Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Her Majesty’s Furniture: A Rare Stumpwork Casket, 1660

Stumpwork Casket
c. 1660
Presented to George V
The Royal Collection
Stumpwork is a form of embroidery wherein stitched figures and features are raised from the background to create a three-dimensional look. Often, these stitched figures were supported by wire in order to give them a more sculptural quality. From 1660-1690, stumpwork was an extremely popular art in Britain and was the occupation of many a young woman who wished to hone her sewing skills. Some stumpwork pieces were quite elaborate and crafted by extremely skilled hands. This exceptional and rare casket (in this sense, a box mean to hold objects) is the epitome of stumpwork.


The sides of the casket show Biblical scenes of Bathsheba and David in crisp relief while the top of the casket is adorned with a sculptural pastoral scene of a shepherdess and her flock amongst carefully wired trees. Created around 1660, this unusual piece was presented as a gift to King George V and remains in the Royal Collection.



1 comment:

French country furniture said...

So old. I am so curious to know more about this antic furniture which You have posted here. I like more design. I am really surprise.