Antique English Victorian Needlework~White Lilies Framed

Antiques : Textiles : Needlework : White Lilies : Victorian

 

Antique Victorian Needlework with Creamy White Lilies from an estate in England. Victorian bouquet of flowers captured in needlework and encased in a round frame. Needlework and other handwork were important in the life of a Victorian woman. Their handwork provided them with a means for artistic expression. Today their handwork provides us with a view into their lives during the Victorian era.

Flowers adorned almost everything during the era…..hair, jewelry, clothing, home décor, china, and even stationery. One large white lily takes center stage in the needlework. The white lily was often used to signify purity and sweetness during that era. During the Victorian Era, the “language of flowers” or floriography assigned various meanings to flowers. Victorians communicated unspoken messages through the use of certain flowers and floral arrangements. This sweet framed needlework was a labor of love for a Victorian lady and I am sure there was a message in her work. Soft white, blues, greens, mocha, pink, red, and burgundy bring the bouquet to life. The background is unfinished as was common during the mid 19th. Century.

Please feel comfortable asking questions or sharing information. I have much to learn about antique needlework. I normally do not handle needlework; however, on this last trip to England I could not resist several pieces that caught my eye. I brought back a pair of beaded face screens that also were adorned with white lilies.

Mid-late 19th. Century. Condition; minor wear to background

Measurements; 16" , frame measures 1/4" leaving 15 1/2" for the needlework

Item ID: 066-0265