105 - A CHINESE SILK EMBROIDERED BEDCOVER FOR THE EUROPEAN MARKET, QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

A CHINESE SILK EMBROIDERED BEDCOVER FOR THE EUROPEAN MARKET, QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY of rectangular form, with polychrome chain stitch decoration on cream ground, depicting floral, bird and insect motifs around a central lobed foliate medallion, with a similarly decorated border framed with scrolling, tasselled edges, lined, 221 x 270cm Indian chintz textiles became hugely fashionable in Britain and Europe from the second half of the 17th century, and with the growth of Asian trade during the East India Company period, Indian painted cottons made for the western market were joined by Chinese embroidered silks, often with similar floral designs. Both were widely used for both costume and furnishing and despite obvious differences, there was sometimes a degree of confusion about the origin of these Asian fabrics. For a related embroidered bedcover and also a lady's gown in the Victoria and Albert Museum (FE.12-2004 & T.115-1953), see Crill 2004, p.263-265, figs.20.1 & 20.2.