DRAWN THREAD, TEA CLOTH

Drawn thread hand embroidery was very popular in England in late 19th and early 20th century. When Britain extended her Empire to the colonies in the 18th century, the Europeans brought with them their arts. This tea cloth with hand embroidered drawn thread work was stitched in Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka, by a local in 1991 and purchased by the donor.

Fine polyester fabric has a drawn thread hem, drawn thread embroidery elements in the centre and a 60 mm hand made bobbin lace edging, creating a very dainty and light tea cloth. The drawn thread design elements are different from those in England where the work was usually on linen or cotton fabric.

A number of tiny holes, possibly by silverfish.