Museum number
F236
Object
Embroidered panel: the Restoration of Charles II, English, silk and metal thread raised work, about 1665
Description
This is a very fine example of a raised or stumpwork panel and a particularly charming subject. In the centre of the panel, the young Charles II is shown hiding in the Boscobel Oak with a Royalist officer having escaped after the defeat at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September, 1651. Above to the right, he is seen escaping on horseback in disguise as a servant with Jane Lane. In the foreground, the mature Charles II, wearing his crown of cream silk with pearls on top and robes of state is attended by two female figures (that immediately beside him appearing to represent his Queen, Catherine of Braganza as the figure wears a crown) and a fine raised and padded figure of an unidentified courtier, In the background to the left is a typical ornate palace. The panel is worked on a white satin ground fabric, embroidered in silk with linen lace, metal threads, pearl beads and mica. The basic leaves of the oak tree are worked in silk split stitch while the trunk and branches are in laid and couched silk-covered wire and the raised leaves are in detached work on wire frames. The four main figures in the forground are all raised and padded about the face, with hair made up of silver -covered wire coils in various shades of black and brown. They all have hands made up in detached work and applied along with their various garments.
Materials
Silk
On display?
Yes

Further description

Simple name
Embroidery
Subject
Historical
Dimensions
regular: 39.6cm (h) x 31.7cm (w)
The Restoration of Charles II English Raised embroidery worked on a white satin ground, embroidered in silk with linen lace, metal threads, pearl beads and mica, about 1665 F236 Bequest of Miss Mildred Alice Carr, 1963 This fine example of raised work shows the small figures of the young Charles II and his companion William Carliss hiding in the Boscobel Oak following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Above to the right, he is seen disguised as a servant escaping on horseback with Jane Lane. In the foreground the mature Charles II is shown wearing his crown, following his restoration to the throne in 1660, flanked by Queen Catherine of Braganza and courtiers. The Holburne Museum has a remarkable collection of embroidered pictures. Most were made by young, highly skilled amateur needlewomen in wealthy households although a few may be the work of professional embroiderers, who were usually men. Many of the embroideries incorporate raised work (or stumpwork), the technique of embroidering over padding in high relief. Their enduring appeal comes from the combination of exceptional craftsmanship with the naive charm of designs which often include outsized animals, birds and insects.

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