Curtain
Category
Textiles
Date
1680
Materials
Silk, Velvet
Measurements
2260 mm (H)2820 mm (W)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
NT 932682.5
Caption
Ostriches and herons - the state bed which dates from 1685 in the Queen Anne Room at Dunham Massey, Cheshire was made for the Duchess of Somerset, and has undergone a long period of restoration. Carved by James Gravenor, cabinet maker, the bed posts are formed as palm trees with gilt roots at the feet. Large gilt foliage sprays support the canopy, from which spout plumes of grey ostrich and heron feathers. Elizabeth Percy was one of Queen Anne’s closest friends. In 1682 she married Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset, and so became Duchess of Somerset. The couple made their home at Petworth House. Between 1710–14, Elizabeth was Groomess of the Stool to Queen Anne with whom she became close friends. A high-ranking position, she would have been in charge of attending to the queen’s comfort and hygiene which included accompanying her to the toilet.
Summary
State bed curtain end/foot. Fabric, dark red jaspe silk velvet, yellow shot silk weft and warp, red cut pile; Lining, gold silk weft of heavier count unbalanced plain weave 'taffeta'; Trimming, (b) tasseled braid 50 mm, yellow and red warp, tarnished metal thread on silk core (holding tassels together), yellow and red silk weft loops, yellow silk wrapped gimp waved, tassels, yellow, black and red silk, (c) tasseled braid 25-28 mm, as above except that waved gimp is yellow and red; Structure, handsewn hooks or rings (?) removed, edged on three sides, with vertical decorated seam.