Carriage and Seat Cushion Covers (Rosettes and People)

Date: 1842

Location: Sweden, North-east Scania, Gärds district

Materials: interlocked tapestry

Dimensions: carriage cushion cover (a): 56 x 97 cm seat cushion cover (b): 55.5 x 54.5 cm

Accession Number: SW 30

Other Notes:

These two cushions are excellent examples of the refinements in quality and design achieved in north-east Scania between 1820 and 1850. The inscription running along the top and bottom, which is partly in reverse, informs us that the wedding for which this tapestry was made took place on 2^nd of August 1842 in Gärds.

It is extremely rare to find two tapestries made for the same marriage still together. The full set would probably have included a second small tapestry like SW 30b (see image), a tapestry cover for the bridal bed, and possibly some long tapestries to cover the bench cushions. The figures in the corners of the field wear clothes typical of the area.

Bibliography:

V. Hansen, Swedish Textile Art: Traditional Marriage Weavings from Scania: The Khalili Collection, London 1996, cat. 46, pp. 125–7.