Pomegranate Textiles

Yesterday my hubbin and I made a visit to the Philly Museum of Art. I always stop in the textiles room to see what they have on display from their huge collection. Right now, they have textiles out that include the pomegranate motif, an ancient symbol of life, fertility, and vitality. I was particularly taken with a Turkish quilt facing from between the 17th and 19th centuries. From the museum's website:

"During the Ottoman Empire, embroidered textiles were made by men in professional workshops and by women in the women's quarters of houses. A quilt facing (yorgan yüzü), part of the bedding in a well-to-do Ottoman household, would have been tacked to the top of a quilt so it could be easily removed. This example is constructed from three joined loom-widths of fabric that were embroidered before being assembled. The pattern of a pomegranate flanked by two large serrated leaves is worked in a darning stitch over three threads. The composition's central field and border typifies Ottoman embroideries from the seventeenth to eighteenth centuries."

The fibers are silk and had a lovely sheen. The intricacy of this work is amazing.





There was also some beautiful hand embroidered lace and other textiles from the 17th century.



In my own meager and humble work, I've been stitching on the larger part of LHN's "Traveling Stitcher." It's not very exciting looking yet, but will be cute when it's all done. Hope you have a lovely weekend planned!

Comments

Kim B said…
Gorgeous textiles!!! And your LHN looks great!
Nancy said…
Thanks for sharing your trip to the museum. The pomegranate textile is amazing as is the lace. I love anything with pomegranates including the real thing!

Your Traveling Stitcher looks pretty Rachel!
I've always been fascinated with pomegranate and tree of life motifs. :D
Milly~ said…
Wow, I would have love to visit that museum.
Deb said…
Beautiful textiles. It always amazes me what was done in the past and the intricacy involved. Great start on your LHN piece.
Brigitte said…
Great pictures of these textiles. I always love looking at textile art.
Kajsa said…
What beautiful pieces of art. That lace is amazing.

Good progress on travelling stitcher. I want to stitch that one too.
Von said…
Thanks for sharing the pics of your recent visit to the textile section of the museum! I don't often have the opportunity to see such things, especially from so long ago. Most textiles I see on this coast are usually 100-200 years old at most.
Jinger said…
I have been on vaca and away from the computer and stitching blogville so I know I am late with this, but...congrats on the news about the baby!!! How exciting for you and your hubby! Glad that things went well when you had the scary episode with the bleeding.
Siobhán said…
It sounds like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing the photos! Lovely progress on your LHN.
I admired your blog, your crossstitch works and your photos! With admiration fills some sights. Congratulations!
I marked you, than reader. Please visit onto my blog, and I ask you if you consider it worthy one mark it than constant reader.
with a greeting
Cherry

Popular Posts