Re: [lace] Eye of the Needle - Feller, Goodhart, Witney
Dear Jeri, When I wrote my email, I felt sure that you would know of the Fellers - and must surely have the books, but it was late and I was tired and not up to searching the archives. Thank you for the URL. This time I've bookmarked the search page. Nor did I have time to look around the Ashmolean's own collection. I was actually there to see the Discovering Tutankhamun exhibition with family. They were then sent off to explore Oxford while I looked round the Eye of the Needle exhibition. However, I picked up a leaflet guide to the Ashmolean embroidery trail and I'm keeping that for my next visit. But anyone else visiting the museum, do look out for it as its not at the main entrance, but was available in the mini shop at the door to the gallery housing the Feller collection. Presumably a special to capitalise on the exhibition. Oh and thank you Jeri for the info about all the other places to see embroidery. Please don't ever stop posting! I may only skim some messages but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate them and the work that's gone in to writing them. Indeed, thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I'm relieved to say not a bad word was written - unlike the anonymous peer review I've just received for a paper submitted to a professional journal I too have had my rejections Brian! Please lets keep this list a friendly place where everyone feels they can contribute without fear of censure or criticism. Best wishes to all, Jane New Forest Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 19:56:26 -0400 (EDT) From: jeria...@aol.com Subject: Re: [lace] Eye of the Needle - Feller, Goodhart, Witney For the few who study early embroidery, It was delightful to read Jane's August 13th memo about the Feller Sampler exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum. I have visited this museum 2 times, and found much thread work in the regular collection to be of interest. Both times it was arranged that a staff member open storage drawers to show pieces at rest. http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/eyeoftheneedle/ In case you think I neglected to ever tell you about the Feller Collection, see my 2012 memo by going to our Arachne archives and putting Feller Collection in the Search box: http://www.mail-archive.com/lace@arachne.com/index.html - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Eye of the Needle - Feller, Goodhart, Witney
For the few who study early embroidery, It was delightful to read Jane's August 13th memo about the Feller Sampler exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum. I have visited this museum 2 times, and found much thread work in the regular collection to be of interest. Both times it was arranged that a staff member open storage drawers to show pieces at rest. http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/eyeoftheneedle/ In case you think I neglected to ever tell you about the Feller Collection, see my 2012 memo by going to our Arachne archives and putting Feller Collection in the Search box: http://www.mail-archive.com/lace@arachne.com/index.html Due to this exhibition, the 2 books might soon be out-of-print and the prices will rise. If you are interested, act now. The lead author of the first book is Mary M. Brooks (curator of this exhibition at the Ashmolean), co-authored by Elizabeth Feller and Jacqueline Holdsworth. Book 2 is by Elizabeth Feller. Titles are Micheal Elizabeth Feller - The Needlework Collection: 1 (215 pages, 2011) and Micheal Elizabeth Feller - The Needlework Collection: 2 (290 pages, 2012). If you want these books and you are in the U.S., I suggest you call my friend Ruth Kern to see if she has any in stock. Leave a message at 1-800-429-5075 and use my name. She will call back. Elizabeth Fuller dedicates the second book To my dearest and most admired late Grandmother, Mammy Christie. Thank you for teaching me needle and thread, I owe much to you. I, Jeri, wonder if her Grandmother was Mrs. Archibald Christie, whose 1912 book Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving and 1920 book Samplers and Stitches were mandatory purchases for embroiderers like me in the mid-20th century, when few embroidery books were available. If anyone could ask at the Ashmolean, I'd like to know if there is a family connection. I still recommend seeing the Goodhart Samplers at Montacute House, which is an Elizabethan mansion west of London. G**gle to see. Contact first, to be sure some of the samplers and stumpworks are on display. I was told they rotate them. I think 1/3 at a time is on view. They are hung in a dark hallway to protect the colored threads. Suggest you take a magnifier and a torch (British for flashlight). Be sure to enjoy the entire property. There have been 2 books, one long out-of-print One Man's Samplers by Douglas Goodhart (booklet size, 48 pages), the other titled The Goodhart Samplers by Phelan, Hansson, Holdsworth (large hardback, 263 pages, and preferred). My 2009 and 2012 reviews are in Arachne archives under Goodhart Samplers. Witney Antiques, in Witney (in the Cotswolds west of London), offers regular exhibits of samplers and related needlework items, some of which may be purchased. It was in June this year, and celebrated their 50th year in business. They publish catalogs to go with their exhibits. My library contains 19 of them. Search Witney Antiques. Finally, if you used the address to visit the Ashmolean's on-line pages about the Feller exhibit, did you notice embroidered depictions of lace shoe roses and lace ruffles below King Ahasuerus's knees - maybe knee sashes or gathered lace that has been attached to boot liners spilling out of the top of boots? His clothing (seen on page 44, Book 1) reflects 17th century male fashions. The kneeling female is Esther, pleading for the safety of her people. Book of Esther 1-7, Bible. Wishing you happy travels. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center In a message dated 8/13/2014, janefr...@googlemail.com writes: I'm just back from the Eye of the Needle exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (UK). Perhaps its because I'm a lace maker not an embroiderer but - Wow! The exhibition is of embroidery from the Feller collection. I've no idea who Elizabeth and Micheal Feller are, but they have a fantastic collection. Everything was from the 17th century, roughly the Stuart period, (a bit of very late Elizabethan, then James I and Charles I) and included a selection of samplers, biblical pictures (and it was amusing to see Solomon looking very much like Charles I and biblical characters dressed in Stuart costume), allegorical themes, a little clothing (coifs, hats, gloves) and household goods (stools, chatelaine, boxes) and so on. There were about 60 pieces in all. I was struck by the quality of the designs, the exquisite workmanship, and how fine the work was. Tent stitch was worked on linen fabric over 1 thread, then in the more elaborate pieces was combined with decorative stitches, stumpwork, raised needlepoint and bead work. There wasn't any lace, except for one unusual, slightly scruffy edging on a beautiful box. I guess the period was a bit early for bobbin lace. However, the needlepoint and whitework were so fine
Re: [lace] Eye of the Needle
Many thanks for your report, Jane. I am visiting the Ashmolean on 23 August and have tickets for this exhibition. I hope I enjoy it as much as you. Jill Milton Keynes, UK - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Eye of the needle
Yes its an amazing collection of needlework. I'm glad magnifiers were available, the stitches are unbelievably tiny. I went to the lecture by the curator before visiting the exhibition. She told us the the Fellers were the family that own the butchers in the Covered Market! I never would have guessed, as a vegetarian I always look away when passing their shop as there is always something I don't want to see! Christine (Oxford UK) - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Eye of the Needle
Hi All, I'm just back from the Eye of the Needle exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (UK). Perhaps its because I'm a lace maker not an embroiderer but - Wow! The exhibition is of embroidery from the Feller collection. I've no idea who Elizabeth and Micheal Feller are, but they have a fantastic collection. Everything was from the 17th century, roughly the Stuart period, (a bit of very late Elizabethan, then James I and Charles I) and included a selection of samplers, biblical pictures (and it was amusing to see Solomon looking very much like Charles I and biblical characters dressed in Stuart costume), allegorical themes, a little clothing (coifs, hats, gloves) and household goods (stools, chatelaine, boxes) and so on. There were about 60 pieces in all. I was struck by the quality of the designs, the exquisite workmanship, and how fine the work was. Tent stitch was worked on linen fabric over 1 thread, then in the more elaborate pieces was combined with decorative stitches, stumpwork, raised needlepoint and bead work. There wasn't any lace, except for one unusual, slightly scruffy edging on a beautiful box. I guess the period was a bit early for bobbin lace. However, the needlepoint and whitework were so fine you might think they were lace. If anyone is in the Oxford area, this is well worth a visit. Details are on the Ashmolean website http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/eyeoftheneedle/ There is no exhibition catalogue as such, but there are two books describing the collection. I bought the first book - but theres a pile of ironing to do and visitors coming before I can put my feet up. Best wishes, Jane New Forest, UK - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Eye of the Needle
Thank you so much for this information! Without an exhibition catalogue, this exhibition would be seldom seen! Posts such as yours help insure that as many lacemakers/embroiderers/ and needle artists of all descriptions/ can be accessed on the Internet! Sent from my iPad On Aug 13, 2014, at 6:06 PM, janefr...@gmail.com janefr...@googlemail.com wrote: Hi All, I'm just back from the Eye of the Needle exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (UK). Perhaps its because I'm a lace maker not an embroiderer but - Wow! The exhibition is of embroidery from the Feller collection. I've no idea who Elizabeth and Micheal Feller are, but they have a fantastic collection. Thanks so much for your contribution! Everything was from the 17th century, roughly the Stuart period, (a bit of very late Elizabethan, then James I and Charles I) and included a selection of samplers, biblical pictures (and it was amusing to see Solomon looking very much like Charles I and biblical characters dressed in Stuart costume), allegorical themes, a little clothing (coifs, hats, gloves) and household goods (stools, chatelaine, boxes) and so on. There were about 60 pieces in all. I was struck by the quality of the designs, the exquisite workmanship, and how fine the work was. Tent stitch was worked on linen fabric over 1 thread, then in the more elaborate pieces was combined with decorative stitches, stumpwork, raised needlepoint and bead work. There wasn't any lace, except for one unusual, slightly scruffy edging on a beautiful box. I guess the period was a bit early for bobbin lace. However, the needlepoint and whitework were so fine you might think they were lace. If anyone is in the Oxford area, this is well worth a visit. Details are on the Ashmolean website http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/eyeoftheneedle/ There is no exhibition catalogue as such, but there are two books describing the collection. I bought the first book - but theres a pile of ironing to do and visitors coming before I can put my feet up. Best wishes, Jane New Forest, UK - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Eye of the Needle
Hello everyone Here is a link to the two volumes about the Feller collection, click their images for a generous peek inside the pages! http://needleprint.blogspot.ca/2012/04/micheal-elizabeth-feller-needlework.html There is no exhibition catalogue as such, but there are two books describing the collection... -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Eye of the Needle
That period wasn't too early for either bobbin lace or needle lace. The Professor's Archives has a lot of scanned in books that date from the 1500s with both bobbin and needle lace patterns. I've made good use of the books for some of my punto in aria and reticello recreations. It's probably just that, whomever the Fellers are, they liked collecting embroidery more than lace. :) Bronwen Colorado Springs, CO, USA On Wed, Aug 13, 2014 at 4:06 PM, janefr...@gmail.com janefr...@googlemail.com wrote: There wasn't any lace, except for one unusual, slightly scruffy edging on a beautiful box. I guess the period was a bit early for bobbin lace. However, the needlepoint and whitework were so fine you might think they were lace. Best wishes, Jane New Forest, UK -- Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living.- Albert Einstein Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. - Albert Einstein - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/