Sunday, June 9, 2013

Not So Lazy Sunday

We planned to have a lazy Sunday...
but it did not quite work out that way.
We went to the Victoria and Albert Museum to take in a current exhibition called "Treasures of the Royal Courts: The Tudors, Stuarts, and the Russian Tzars"It was wonderful. Not too big, not too small - just the right size to absorb and remember.  I was particularly taking with the jewellery and the exquisite miniatures. 

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a little bit of everything - including a lovely Dale Chihuly piece in the lobby.

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) was an extremely talented needlewoman.
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With the ladies of her household, she embroidered these panels during her imprisonment.  Mary's emblem of the marigold turning toward the sun was combined with other coasts of arms and emblems representing courage under adversity.

My favorite is the second from the right on the top - "'A Quayle".

I found some other bits of needlework including Margaret Layton's garments.  

The originals as painted in her portrait are too delicate to display, but this is a wonderfully intricate period example (ca. 1620). 

I also found some other pieces from the 1600's - the middle one represents grapes.

This pin cushion (ca. 1630) used silk, silver, and silver-gilt thread with a satin back and silver and silk thread tassels.
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We walked over to the Museum of Natural History because it was right next door. 

The building is fraught with details from the natural world: bees, and bugs, and reptiles, and birds, and spiders - it's wonderful.

We then popped over to Oxford Street which is gaily festooned with banners celebrating the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation. 

Speaking of the Queen...John Lewis (a department store) has a royal warrant... 

...and a very nice haberdashery department with sewing machines in every color of the rainbow.
Whew!  I think that's more than enough for one lazy Sunday, don't you?

10 comments:

Mary said...

17th century embroidery is so amazing...we never have enough light...they had daylight and candles. The Chihluy is spectacular. I live in RI and RISD had a wonderful exhibit a few years ago. Impressive, actually too small a word ...

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I'm always amazed at what was accomplished with so little light and a fraction of the supplies we have. The "sweete bags" are my out and out favourite. I have a lovely book on them and keep telling myself that one day I'll stitch my own version - who am I kidding? We have a John Lewis in Edinburgh and we often shop there.

Vickie said...

Yes! More than enough. But thanks! I am enjoying "our" vacation. ;)

Karen said...

What a wonderful vacation you're having!

Giovanna said...

Oh my, that exhibition must have been wonderful. I didn't know about Mary Stuart being a needlewoman, let alone about any needlework of hers still existing - how thrilling.
I've been to the NHM several times, and each time the building surprises me with something I hadn't noticed before - it's one of my favourite buildings in the world, and it reminds me of a cathedral. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Barb said...

Beth, that is hardly a quiet Sunday!But certainly a very interesting one! I was amazed at the needlework those women did and love the motifs from the Natural History Museum. Chihuly's Garden of Glass is on our agenda this summer.

Margaret said...

Well even if it wasn't a lazy Sunday, it looks like you had a great time. I'm so happy you showed Mary Queen of Scots' needlework! Can you imagine? It gives me goosebumps! They are all wonderful too. Sigh.....

Annette-California said...

What a great Sunday! Thrilling to see some of Queen Mary of Scots needlework. So amazing and wonderful too. love Annette

Melanie said...

Amazing!
I like the quirky look most of the animals have that she stitched.

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

I love the detailing on the handbags and the exterior of the natural history museum--beautiful all!