{"product_id":"antique-victorian-set-3-hand-embroidered-berlin-wool-work-seat-covers-1840-copy","title":"Two English Gros Point Needlework Panels, c. 1690–1702","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn exceptionally rare pair of English gros point needlework panels, comprising three widths of needlework, dating to approximately 1690–1702. Their substantial scale and richly worked designs make them an important survival of late seventeenth-century domestic needlework, reflecting the Baroque taste associated with the William and Mary period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorked entirely by hand in tent stitch, or gros point, the panels use vibrant hand-spun crewel wools on a heavy, hand-loomed hemp canvas ground. The needlework is worked fully to the absolute boundary of the bottom hem without an unworked margin. This construction is consistent with substantial seventeenth-century panels fitted and trimmed for a particular interior, before being lined in the Victorian period. The design reflects the period’s fascination with Chinoiserie and exotic plants and creatures. Large pomegranates, depicted with a sense of depth, appear among trailing acanthus foliage and rich botanical blossoms, interspersed with stylised, fantastical animals, including a striking indigo-blue sea creature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vegetable-dyed wools, including indigo and woad, madder root and weld, retain a warm, richly varied palette with considerable depth of colour. The variations associated with small dye batches contribute to the character of the needlework. The dark charcoal and black background areas display classic historic iron-mordant degradation. Because the 17th-century dyers used ferrous sulfate mixed with plant tannins to achieve deep blacks, these specific fibers have naturally thinned and oxidised over the centuries. This creates a beautiful, authentic 'relief' effect where the vegetable-dyed colored wools remain thick and proud while the black yarn has gently receded—a slow chemical marker that is impossible to replicate in modern or Victorian revival textiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the late-Victorian revival of interest in historic interiors, the panels were brought together and backed with a fine teal-slate polished cotton sateen. Examination of the unworked selvedges beneath the lining reveals the irregular structure of the hand-woven hemp ground, an important feature in distinguishing their original construction from later machine-made revival work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pair comprises one panel formed from two joined widths, measuring approximately 220 cm wide by 245 cm drop (86½ × 96½ inches), and one single-width panel measuring approximately 110 cm wide by 245 cm drop (43¼ × 96½ inches). Together, they provide approximately 3.3 metres of combined width, all worked in seventeenth-century needlework.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe panels are exceptionally well preserved for textiles of this age. The main decorative faces of the wool embroidery remain strong and the designs complete throughout. The age-related thinning of the dark yarns described above is visible on the reverse. Other wear is minor and localised: loose threads are confined to two small areas along the lower hem borders, while the Victorian backing shows some rubbing at the top edge where hanging hooks were used. There is no dry rot or structural tearing of the hemp canvas ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pair has been gently vacuumed at low suction to remove surface dust. It has never been chemically dry-cleaned or wet-washed, leaving the natural lanolin oils and original dyes undisturbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor ongoing care, gentle annual vacuuming at low suction through a fine fibreglass or nylon mesh screen placed over the wool face protects the needlework from direct contact. The Victorian sateen backing helps distribute the weight of the heavy canvas ground. Display should be away from direct sunlight and strong UV exposure to protect the historic colours. Given the age and scale of the panels, specialist textile-conservation advice is recommended before cleaning or altering their hanging arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFully insured specialist courier delivery within the UK is included. International customers are asked to contact me before purchasing for an individual shipping quotation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penelope Textiles Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57548581994876,"sku":"ANT-E-006","price":18500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/2884\/2001\/files\/IMG_9146.jpg?v=1791043213","url":"https:\/\/www.penelopetextiles.com\/products\/antique-victorian-set-3-hand-embroidered-berlin-wool-work-seat-covers-1840-copy","provider":"Penelope Textiles Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}