Sun Aug 29, 2021 06:40 AM

August 29, 2021

Pair of cream silk valances with black velvet applique in the Burrell Collection Object ID number 29.178.a and 29.278.b. English, dated between 1532 and 1536. http://collections.glasgowmuseums.com/mwebcgi/mweb?request=record;id=37448;type=101#

They are appliqued and then couched in red silk with additional use of slip stitch, French knots and seeding stitches. This was a royal piece and includes Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s initials with acorns and honeysuckle added to the pattern. There is quite a bit of information in the museum’s write up in the object regarding the use of the symbols and the provinence of the textiles for those interested. There is also a wonderful image of the valances displayed on a 4 poster bed at Hutton Castle. It is from a blog entry from one of the curators. https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/blog/my-favourite-object

Patterns are similar to those in “Livre de Moresques,” dated 1546, by Francesco di Pellegrino. The book is a compressed version of 1530’s “La Fleur de la Science de Pourtraicture” accession number 26.71.8(1-34) at the Met.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/351013