ANNE WANNER'S Textiles in History   /  book reviews, articles
 
  Ottoman Embroidery
by Marianne Ellis and Jennifer Wearden

London 2001

in english, available October 2001
V&A publications
144 pages, 300 x 250mm, 150 colour 12 line
ISBN 1 85177 347 9, price £30.00 

V&A Publications, 160 Brompton Road
London SW IHW, Te.: 020 7942 2966, Fax: 020 7942 2977
email: j.smith@vam.ac.uk
 
  Contents:

- Turkish Peril & Turkish Delight: the Ottoman Enigma, by Jennifer Wearden

- List of Plates

- The Plates

- Ottoman Embroidery Stitches & Techniques: an Appreciation, by Marianne Ellis

- Glossary

- select Bibliography

 

 

fine darning over one thread

 

 
  This book is a celebration of the extensive collection of Ottoman embroidery at the V&A which ranges from the middle of the 16th century to 1900. In addition to illustrating over 100 major pieces, an introductory text puts the collections in context, explaining who the Ottoman were and their impact on Europe. The embroideries themselves include pieces such as sashes, kerchiefs and scarves which were made to satisfy the requirements of the ottoman household and are strongly redolent of an exotic way of live. Above all it is their unique double-sided embroideries that are fascinating to Western observers where the same basic stitch has been used over five centuries. This type of embroidery continues to be made today by a few skilled practitioners and the techniques are clearly explained through specially commissioned diagrams.
       
 
home   content Last revised February 2, 2001

For further information contact Anne Wanner wanner@datacomm.ch