1750 (18th c.)
Fabric sample
Long armed red, green & pink cross-stitch and back stitches; silk on natl colored linen 18" x 4"; mounted w/ t 74; has been re-worked; shows 2 shades of red, motif is of 2 cocks facing central tree/bush; colors are red/green/natural linen; good condition: seems slightly faded, otherwise sound. Similar embroidery is exhibited in the v&a museum, london, with labels indicating "mexico, 18-19th century; spanish 17th century"; piece could be from sicily also; similarity of work from so many places is explainable; notes by miss gard; purchased for 5 shillings. “Azemmour embroideries are quite distinct from other types of Moroccan embroidery in technique and design. Their unusual pattern is achieved by dropping out stitches to create negative space. They were made chiefly by Jewish women who fled to Morocco from Spain in the 16th century among other refugees, both Jewish and Muslim, whose embroidery traditions – the bird and fountain motifs in particular – are reflective of their Mediterranean heritage. These long pieces (usually a minimum of 250 cm long when completed) were used to adorn the exposed sides of mattresses.” Textile Museum of Canada, http://www.textilemuseum.ca/apps/index.cfm?page=collection.detail&catId=2731&row=5
Provenance:
Gard, nellie
Construction Label:
Embroidery
1933T 1750.80
Long armed red, green & pink cross-stitch and back stitches; silk on natl colored linen 18" x 4"; mounted w/ t 74; has been re-worked; shows 2 shades of red, motif is of 2 cocks facing central tree/bush; colors are red/green/natural linen; good condition: seems slightly faded, otherwise sound. Similar embroidery is exhibited in the v&a museum, london, with labels indicating "mexico, 18-19th century; spanish 17th century"; piece could be from sicily also; similarity of work from so many places is explainable; notes by miss gard; purchased for 5 shillings. “Azemmour embroideries are quite distinct from other types of Moroccan embroidery in technique and design. Their unusual pattern is achieved by dropping out stitches to create negative space. They were made chiefly by Jewish women who fled to Morocco from Spain in the 16th century among other refugees, both Jewish and Muslim, whose embroidery traditions – the bird and fountain motifs in particular – are reflective of their Mediterranean heritage. These long pieces (usually a minimum of 250 cm long when completed) were used to adorn the exposed sides of mattresses.” Textile Museum of Canada, http://www.textilemuseum.ca/apps/index.cfm?page=collection.detail&catId=2731&row=5
Provenance:
Gard, nellie
Construction Label:
Embroidery
1933T 1750.80