Saddle cloth
Category
Textiles
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wool, linen, silk thread and cotton thread
Measurements
1490 mm (Width); 1480 mm (Length)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 108061
Summary
Probably an Indian saddle cloth. Base fabric of plain red wool densely embroidered with applique and chain stitch embroidery in green, red, blue, purple, pink and gold with other strips of plain wool in blue, black, brown and yellow. Embroidered motifs including faces, birds, stylised foliage and boteh motifs. At the top edge there is an insert with a pocket. The lower edge is trimmed with block coloured fringe in purple and green. Lined with coarsely woven green coloured linen. Cover designed to fit a horse/elephant for decoration/ceremonial purposes. Rectangular with cut out shapes on each side making a rough ‘H’. Found in Burmese Poongyi Box No.441 (V & A Catalogue 1927). Condition: Generally fair condition with some damage. Splits along joins above black border, splits around embroidery in central area. Some moth holes in red wool. Loss of surface embroidery in some areas. Previous repair worked in red wool. Well used. Some staining on reverse. Badly creased due to poor storage.