Shakespeares flowers in stumpwork

Jane Nicholas

This embroidered border was inspired by the painted border of a letter written by Lady Anne Clifford to her father in 1598 the time of Elizabeth I and Shakespeare. Worked on ivory silk satin, in stumpwork and surface embroidery, this design features fourteen assorted flowers and fruits popular at the time, including the Apothecary rose, Sweet briar and Heartsease, Barberries, Bellflower, Borage and Periwinkle, Cornflower, Gillyflower and Knapweed, and Grapes, Plums, Redcurrants and Strawberries. As in the original letter, the panel is outlined with pairs of fine red lines these have been worked in back stitch. This border may be used to surround a mirror, or to enclose a special photograph, a monogram, a precious memento, or perhaps a tiny stumpwork figure.