Framed Bolt of Cloth with Frame made by Lady Dione Palmer
Label
Framed Bolt of Cloth with Frame made by Lady Dione Palmer
Summary
Dark wooden oval frame containing gold and silver fabric embroidered with green beetle wings in the shape of a flower motif. A printed label on the back states it belonged to Zaphaniza Hanin, daughter of the Maharaja of Purnea, wife of Gerard Gustavus Ducarel, and great great great Grandmother of John E.S. Palmer.
Contents
Small wooden oval frame with swatch of gold and silver fabric with beetle wing embroidery framed inside. Detailed label calling Sharaf un-Nisa 'Zaphanaiza' on the back.
Keywords
textiles, embroidery, beetle wing, colonial India, art, attire, craft, 18th century, insects, handmade, Mughal, gold, silver
Metadata Creators
Megan Robb, Juliana Lu, Munazza Ebtikar
Roles
[owner] Elizabeth Sharaf un-Nisa Ducarel
Date
late 18th century, framed in the 21st century
Place Origin
Bengal, South Asian subcontinent
Language
Palmer Family Archive, Devon, England
Decoration
English
Layout
unstable_archives_item
Hand Script
Print
Dimensions
Beetlewing embroidery is a traditional craft practiced in India and several other Asian countries that used the wing casings of iridescent beetles. Beetles of the genus Sternocera were most prized due to their emerald green color and metallic shine.
Additional Info
Please photograph the front and back of oval frame, including the text of the label affixed to the back.