One of my favourite authors is George Eliot alias Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880). And I suppose if I had to confess one book near to my heart it is the story of the weaver Silas Marner whose love of gold is one day redeemingly replaced by love for humankind when an orphaned child arrives on his doorstep. He named the child Eppie and a niece of ours is called after her. This cloth with its spinner, jolly French piper and dancing group (can you hear the sound of their clogs pounding the earth?) in the collection of Nuneaton Museum (Warwickshire) is believed to have been stitched by Mary Ann and her school friends.
Warwickshire Museums also have a small sampler collection to explore - just click here.
Oooh! Embroidery and Literature. You find the coolest things!
ReplyDeleteOMG!! It's just for enjoy two loves in one!!!!
ReplyDeletewho wouldn't want to stitch after looking at this. thanks once again. such food for the soul and the finger tips.
ReplyDeleteAs a spinner, spindle and wheel, I LOVE it when someone depicts one in their embroidery, even the mischievous and misunderstood "spinning monkeys" . "Silas Marner" was a favorite of mine as well as "Middlemarch". The Tray Cloth is wonderful. Thank you Jacqueline! Dianne in Utah, USA
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