This is probably early 20th century, could be late 19th, and is very large, made from exceptionally fine linen, extensively embroidered. That alone should indicate the wealth of the owner, but if there are any doubts, the large crown embroidered in one corner, indicating that this belonged to nobility of some sort, should be the clincher. This is so beautifully embroidered - the wide scalloped border is entirely edged with embroidery and with the motifs of small flowers and stalks of wheat. The enormous triple initials ‘BFP’ are surmounted by a crown, a protected symbol in France, only traditionally used by those who can trace their family tree into noble origins. The quality of the embroidery is that of a professional artisan, and the style looks very much like the embroidery from the Touraine region, full of châteaux. The back of the pillowcase is unusually made with gussets, this would allow the front to sit flat as the bulk of the pillow would be taken into this extra fabric. It does up with mother-of-pearl buttons, and if you have stopped looking at the beautiful embroidery, take a moment to marvel at the masterclass in buttonhole fabrication on show - and also that all those tiny stitches making up the seams look like machine stitching but are actually hand-done.
This is probably the most sumptuous example of a crown I have yet found. Linen with crowns on it is understandably both rare and collectible, not just because of the crowns but because it always displays the finest possible fabrics and workmanship (workwomenship - it would have been a woman making this piece), but I love that anyone can now own it. It is in perfect condition, no damages or marks at all. Bear in mind that the linen is very fine and that this is at least 100 years old - it needs to be treated with respect. It measures 68×71cm at insert size, and the border is 7cm at the widest part of the scalloping.
Please click on the photos to open them up full-sized.
To purchase, please message me via the contact form and include the title of the piece in your message.
This is probably early 20th century, could be late 19th, and is very large, made from exceptionally fine linen, extensively embroidered. That alone should indicate the wealth of the owner, but if there are any doubts, the large crown embroidered in one corner, indicating that this belonged to nobility of some sort, should be the clincher. This is so beautifully embroidered - the wide scalloped border is entirely edged with embroidery and with the motifs of small flowers and stalks of wheat. The enormous triple initials ‘BFP’ are surmounted by a crown, a protected symbol in France, only traditionally used by those who can trace their family tree into noble origins. The quality of the embroidery is that of a professional artisan, and the style looks very much like the embroidery from the Touraine region, full of châteaux. The back of the pillowcase is unusually made with gussets, this would allow the front to sit flat as the bulk of the pillow would be taken into this extra fabric. It does up with mother-of-pearl buttons, and if you have stopped looking at the beautiful embroidery, take a moment to marvel at the masterclass in buttonhole fabrication on show - and also that all those tiny stitches making up the seams look like machine stitching but are actually hand-done.
This is probably the most sumptuous example of a crown I have yet found. Linen with crowns on it is understandably both rare and collectible, not just because of the crowns but because it always displays the finest possible fabrics and workmanship (workwomenship - it would have been a woman making this piece), but I love that anyone can now own it. It is in perfect condition, no damages or marks at all. Bear in mind that the linen is very fine and that this is at least 100 years old - it needs to be treated with respect. It measures 68×71cm at insert size, and the border is 7cm at the widest part of the scalloping.
Please click on the photos to open them up full-sized.
To purchase, please message me via the contact form and include the title of the piece in your message.
