Pillowcase

Object Name:

Pillowcase

Object ID:

1964.034.04

Creator:

Proctor, Edna DeanWriter

Place of Origin:

New England

Date:

1889-1900

Description:

Pillowcase. One of two separate incomplete panels possibly intended for a pillow. Embroidered with silk yarns of yellow, orange, and red on brown satin. Pattern of floral sprigs embroidered around poem verse, "To the Minstrel said the King / "Sing you mournful songs or glad;" / "Nay, sire, 'tis of life I sing; / Gay to-day, to-morrow sad."/ Minstrel, tell us not of tears / Dulcet notes to joy belong / "Nay, sire, he who sorrow fears, / Will not hear the sweetest song." Embroidery stitch through to a 15" square piece of brown linen cambric backing secured to the satin with a square outline of brown running stitches. Two white selvedge edges visible on satin fabric. Top and bottom are raw edges. Embroidered by poet Edna Dean Proctor (1829-1923), great-great maternal aunt of the donor, with a verse from her poem "The Minstrel," published in 1890.

Material:

Textile
Silk
Linen
Satin

Dimensions:

W-23 L-23 inches

Provenance:

Gift of Elizabeth van Praag Dudley. Donor related to New Hampshire poet Edna Dean Proctor (1829-1923), born in Henniker, NH, on Proctor Hill overlooking the Contoocook River, who made this item and embroidered it with a verse from one of her poems.

Credit Line:

Gift of Elizabeth von Praag Dudley

People:

Proctor, Edna Dean (1829-1923)

Subjects:

Silk, Textiles, Poetry, Embroidery, Pillows, Satin, Flowers, Handwork