SHADOW WORK, DOYLEY

A dainty circular doyley, fine white lawn hand embroidered flowers in shadow work, possibly from India, mid 20th C.

This fine embroidery was worked on the back in closed herringbone stitch, creating a shadowy appearance on the front. On the front, the flower centres in French knots and a tiny buttonhole scalloped edging.

In India there developed a form of white work called Chikan, stitches worked on the back of very fine muslin fabric to give a shadowy effect. In 18th century, when Europe and India began trading, imported shadow work muslin goods inspired the Europeans.