Bradford carpet

In today's article we will explore the fascinating world of Bradford carpet, a topic that has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. From its impact on society to its varied applications in daily life, Bradford carpet has proven to be a topic of unquestionable relevance in today's world. Throughout this article, we will take an in-depth look at the various facets of Bradford carpet, from its origins to its evolution today. Immerse yourself in this exciting journey and discover everything the world of Bradford carpet has to offer.

The Bradford carpet

The Bradford Carpet is a canvas work embroidery made in the early 17th century (ca. 1600–1615) that originally belonged to the Earl of Bradford at Castle Bromwich.

The carpet measures 16 by 6 feet (4.9 m × 1.8 m). In the Victoria and Albert Museum it covers an entire wall. However, it was made neither for wall nor floor, but as a table covering. Its 17-inch-wide (430 mm) border was designed to hang down over the edges of a table, and it would have been removed or covered with a linen cloth when the table was used.

The carpet is worked with silk embroidery thread in tent stitch on a linen ground. The stitching is very fine (400 stitches/inch, 62 stitches/cm) and was worked in at least 23 different colours. The tension of the tent stitches over time has distorted the shape of the carpet. It is characteristic of professional canvas work popular for furnishings in the Elizabethan era. The field design is a grape vine trellis. The border, thought to represent human progression from a wild state to civilisation, depicts a variety of country pursuits set against a pastoral landscape, described as "perhaps the finest range of genre scenes to come down to us from Elizabethan times". A manor house, shepherd, travelling vendor with his packhorse, lords and ladies, hunting scenes, milkmaids, millers, water mills and windmills are all shown.

Notes

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bradford table carpet.
  1. ^ a b c d e Digby 1964, p. 102, plates 46 and 47
  2. ^ a b c d V&A Museum, Life in Tudor and Stuart times
  3. ^ Levey & King 1993, p. 23
  4. ^ Levey & King 1993, p. 16

References

  • Digby, George Wingfield (1964). Elizabethan Embroidery. Thomas Yoseloff.
  • Levey, S. M. and D. King (1993). The Victoria and Albert Museum's Textile Collection Vol. 3: Embroidery in Britain from 1200 to 1750. Victoria and Albert Museum. ISBN 1-85177-126-3.
  • "Victoria & Albert Museum Supporting Information: Life in Tudor and Stuart Times". Retrieved 28 June 2009.
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia