4An important set of whitework bedhangings comprising a coverlet of knotted work, with a central medallion with a basket overflowing with flowers, the borders with sheaves of corns, acorns, sunflowers and other flowers and foliage, with lion's head terminals in the outer border, within a frame of linked hearts, with a knotted fringe on three sides--104in. (260cm.) square; a pair of similar curtains worked with floral arrangements suspended from ribbons at the top, each with an oak tree with a parrot perched in the branches below, with other fruit trees at either side, animals, buildings and gazebos below, trimmed with a knotted fringe, one dated "1759"--74 x 84in. (185 x 210cm.), backed, slight damage and staining; three shaped pelmets worked with garlands of flowers linked by ribbon bows joined to a later tester--two 66 x 8in. (165 x 20cm.), one 54 x 8in. (135 x 20cm.) and three others worked with sprays of acorns, pomegranates, fruit and flowers--two 74 x 8in. (185 x 20cm.), one 62 x 8in. (155 x 20cm.), all trimmed with a knotted fringe, backed and protected by later net, 1750s, English, attributable to Mrs. Delany and her CircleSee Illustration of coverlet

4An important set of whitework bedhangings comprising a coverlet of knotted work, with a central medallion with a basket overflowing with flowers, the borders with sheaves of corns, acorns, sunflowers and other flowers and foliage, with lion's head terminals in the outer border, within a frame of linked hearts, with a knotted fringe on three sides--104in. (260cm.) square; a pair of similar curtains worked with floral arrangements suspended from ribbons at the top, each with an oak tree with a parrot perched in the branches below, with other fruit trees at either side, animals, buildings and gazebos below, trimmed with a knotted fringe, one dated "1759"--74 x 84in. (185 x 210cm.), backed, slight damage and staining; three shaped pelmets worked with garlands of flowers linked by ribbon bows joined to a later tester--two 66 x 8in. (165 x 20cm.), one 54 x 8in. (135 x 20cm.) and three others worked with sprays of acorns, pomegranates, fruit and flowers--two 74 x 8in. (185 x 20cm.), one 62 x 8in. (155 x 20cm.), all trimmed with a knotted fringe, backed and protected by later net, 1750s, English, attributable to Mrs. Delany and her Circle See Illustration of coverlet

Details

4An important set of whitework bedhangings comprising a coverlet of knotted work, with a central medallion with a basket overflowing with flowers, the borders with sheaves of corns, acorns, sunflowers and other flowers and foliage, with lion's head terminals in the outer border, within a frame of linked hearts, with a knotted fringe on three sides--104in. (260cm.) square; a pair of similar curtains worked with floral arrangements suspended from ribbons at the top, each with an oak tree with a parrot perched in the branches below, with other fruit trees at either side, animals, buildings and gazebos below, trimmed with a knotted fringe, one dated "1759"--74 x 84in. (185 x 210cm.), backed, slight damage and staining; three shaped pelmets worked with garlands of flowers linked by ribbon bows joined to a later tester--two 66 x 8in. (165 x 20cm.), one 54 x 8in. (135 x 20cm.) and three others worked with sprays of acorns, pomegranates, fruit and flowers--two 74 x 8in. (185 x 20cm.), one 62 x 8in. (155 x 20cm.), all trimmed with a knotted fringe, backed and protected by later net, 1750s, English, attributable to Mrs. Delany and her Circle
See Illustration of coverlet

Provenance

The First Lady Cowdray, given to her niece, Lady Burrell, grandmother of the vendor.

Lot Essay

Mary Delany (1700-1788) was celebrated for her knotted embroidery. A coverlet made for her godson, Thomas Sandford, was sold at Christie's South Kensington in 1978 to the Ulster Museum. Most of her knotted work was made as gifts for relatives and friends.

More from Fine Costume and Textiles

View All