Framed Bolt of Cloth with Frame made by Lady Dione Palmer

Name:

Elizabeth Sharaf un-Nisa Ducarel

Date:

1775/1799

Description:

Small dark wooden oval frame containing gold and silver fabric embroidered with green beetle wings in the shape of a flower motif. Gold and silver thread appliqued with emerald-colored beetle wings in the shape of a flower motif. A printed label on the back states it belonged to Zaphaniza Hanin (Sharaf-un-Nisa), daughter of the Maharaja of Purnea, wife of Gerard Gustavus Ducarel, and great-great-great Grandmother of John E.S. Palmer. Cloth is late 18th century, framed in the 21st century.

Language:

English

Provenance:

Palmer family archive, Devon, England

Subject:

Textiles; Embroidery; Beetle wing; Colonial India; Art; Attire; Craft; 18th century; Insects; Handmade; Mughal; Gold; Silver

Physical Description:

1 cloth.

Geographic Subject:

South Asia; Bengal

Rights:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Notes:

Beetlewing embroidery is a traditional craft practiced in India and several other Asian countries that used the wing casings of iridescent beetles. Beetles of the genus Sternocera were most prized due to their emerald green color and metallic shine.

Physical Location:

UA SNED 39A

Collection:

Lord and Lady Palmer Collection