Painted Walls * 1550-1650 * Welsh Marches

We have a timbered house which goes back to the early 1700s but there is no sign now if ever it was painted so beautifully as this house in the Welsh Marches. It is totally astonishing that any painted plasterwork in domestic buildings could have survived from the mid 1500s to now, given predilections for new decor and DIY. But they have. Those flowers are so much like those seen on spot samplers. And look, too, at the continuing tradition of incorporating wise-words into decorative designs.

In a fabulous, detailed book by Dr Kathryn Davies, Historic Buildings Inspector for English Heritage, the homes of wealthy merchants and gentry have been meticulously recorded and photographed. The Welsh Marches were home to important, powerful and very wealthy families in this period - think Talbots, Beth of Shrewsbury (and Hardwick) - so it is not surprising that they would have wanted their homes to look as sumptious as possible.

What is important is to link this domestic wall painting with domestic needlecraft. The patterns we see on samplers and stitched pictures, were already there on the walls. In many cases the design and transfer of images and patterns was carried out in much the same way for walls as for embroidery. Pouncing designs on walls was commonplace. And there are records of occasional demarcation spats between Painter-Stainers and Imbroderers in early Guild records. It is totally possible that the person who designed your walls, could at the same time be persuaded to draw out some needlework designs for you. This image recalls very much the Boxers seen on samplers, which are seen flanking a fountain motif.

Just like embroidered panels, painted walls took their inspiration from printed sources. I do recommend this book to lovers of historical needlework, as well as lovers of social history. It is available through Amazon - just click here for the link.

Amy Mitten reminder

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Lovely New Marianne Wenn Sampler Chart from Norwich Museum

I am delighted to tell you that Philippa Sims from Carrow House Museum in Norwich has charted another of the Museum's lovely samplers for you to download right now. This charming sampler was stitched by Marianne Wenn in 1816. Marianne was born near Wroxham in Norfolk in 1803. I love the two figures on the base of the sampler - Philippa tells me they probably represent the ladies of Trinity Hospital at Castle Rising in west Norfolk. This almshouse for twelve poor elderly ladies was founded by Henry Howard, first Earl of Northampton, in 1614 and it provides sheltered accommodation to this day. The ladies wear their scarlet cloaks on which is displayed the Howard coat of arms and their tall wide-brimmed tudor hats on Sundays and the annual Founder's Day. What is there not to love about this sampler? The price is £10 and the proceeds go to Carrow House Museum Norwich. Click here to see more or buy.
If you would like more details on stitch count and colours, just click here to download a factsheet.

Smocks and Brightwells Toy and Textile Sale

When I was young, I had a friend who collected dolls in national dress. Friends and relatives brought them back as presents from far flung holidays. Since we holidayed in England, I also would look for a doll in English national dress as she didn't have one of those. The nearest I ever got was to give her a doll with a tall black hat and red cape when I returned from visiting Snowdon in Wales on a school trip. The only other known dress which marks out some of the southern counties of England, is the smock. These were worn by adults and children in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Since I made smocks for my children when they were small, I fondly believed smocks to have been stiched at home by wives and sweethearts. Nothing could be further from the truth. Naomi Tarrant put me right. She told me that there were professional smock stitchers who made these garments. Another illusion gone! But you could buy yourself a nice smock from the Brightwell's upcoming auction on 12th January. Click here for the Brightwell's catalogue. Lot 1019 above is a cream linen farm smock from Bransford Court Farm, Worcestershire. The deep collar with embroidered heart segments in a circle. Smocking to front and sleeves. Full length. Water stain to front, 19th century. The estimate is £150-£200

And here you can see some of the lovely detail of Lot 1019.

It seems incredible after all this time to find an unused smock from the 19th century, but here you are - lot 1018 - a Worcestershire full length farm smock made at Bransford Court Farm from natural unbleached linen. Smocked at front, back and sleeves. The estimate is £100-£150.

I think this is the prettiest smocked child's dress my mother never made.
You can see more items like this in the on-line collection of the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachussetts by clicking here.

Not smocks but in the Brightwell's sale, I couldn't resist showing you this lot 53 which is a bazaar stall selling prints and other wares with four South German wood lady vendors. Its estimate is £140-£160.