Pincushion
Lizzie Hunt
Category
Textiles
Date
1870 - 1930
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Measurements
150 mm (Length)150 mm (W)
Collection
Sunnycroft, Shropshire
NT 1320949
Caption
The Leek Embroidery Society was begun by Elizabeth Wardle in Leek, Staffordshire in the 1870s. The tussah silk threads, coloured with natural dyes were imported from India by her husband Thomas Wardle, a friend and collaborator of William Morris who designed some patterns for the Society. Leek embroidery is recognisable by its used of long and short stitches, gold thread couching, and tussah silk threads and their use in colour shading. Sunnycroft houses an unusual collection of domestic, rather than ecclesiastical, Leek embroidery, including picture frames and this pin-cushion.
Summary
Pincushion decorated with Leek embroidery. Hand made square pincushion, with green backing, embroidered with Indian Ceiling design (1883) with criss-crossing flowers in orange, mauve and green. Pattern has been block printed onto tussah silk, and then embroidered with tussah silk threads.
Provenance
Bequeathed to National Trust with Sunnycroft and its contents by Miss Joan Lander (1916 – 1997).
Makers and roles
Lizzie Hunt, creator