Marie Cavanagh of the Embroiderers' Guild
The July guest speaker was Embroiderers' Guild archivist, Marie Cavanagh.
Marie introduced herself and then showed a set of slides illustrating some of the important acquisitions of the Guild, including a Tree of Life, Good Queen Bess and a cushion from Schrewsbury Hall. There is a lot of symbolism in the embroideries to do with Mary Queen of Scots, for example a Tudor embroidery in a silver gilt frame from the 1600s which showed ravens, snakes and toads.
A Rondelle
prepared for James I which was in poor condition as it had been glued to a timber backing. There was a needle tapestry from a 17th century farmhouse David & Bathsheba
and two little bags — one a ladies workbag for knotting. There were lace sleeve frills — one of which had been exquisitely darned, also some stocking or misers
purses.
A pincushion which arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1853 and Victorian evening purses. There were curtains featuring Sturt's Desert Pea and a Ball Gown of silk brocade under silk organza from the end of the 19th century — this had been taken to Farmers in 1910 to be altered into a tea gown. There was a jacket from Sumatra, hand woven and embroidered with mirrors and shells.
In addition, there was on display for members to look at an 18th century knitted bag coloured with natural dyes, Victorian watch pockets
, dowry purses from Turkey and Chinese belt purses.

Comments
Sadly Marie Cavanagh - The Embroiderers' Guild Custodian died in September 2007. She will be remembered by many as a woman passionate about textiles and the knowledge that is communicated through them. She will be sadly missed.
Posted by: Louise DuVernet | 10 October 2007