Bedspread
Queen Anne period, 1701/25
Medium
Linen, tabby; backed with coarser linen, embroidery thru top layer only. Embroidered in silk floss. Stitches: Back, chain, satin, running cross, herringbone, buttonhole, fishbone, speckling
Dimensions
155.6 × 136.5 cm (61 1/4 × 53 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
39711
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bedspread hails from the Queen Anne period (17011725), a time of refined elegance in early 18th England when domestic textiles became symbols of prosperity and craftsmanship. Crafted anonymously, likely by skilled needlewomen in a household setting, it measures .6 × 136.5 cm, sized to adorn a fine bedchamber. Backed with coarser linen for durability, the top layer of fine tabby-woven linen is embroidered through solely with vibrant silk floss, showcasing the era's blend of practicality and luxury. The embroidery employs an impressive array of stitches—back, chain, satin, runnin...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...