Table of Contents
Site home
Front page
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2a
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8a
Chapter 8b
Chapter 8c
Chapter 8d
Chapter 8e
Chapter 8f
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17

References and Resources

 

 

Examples of Redwork Embroidery from Europe

Other European Redwork Embroideries

Chapter 8d

Hungarian Redwork Found in Vermont

In an an antiques shop in Vermont, we found an oversized embroidered linen, 24 1/4” high x 47 1/2” wide, that has the initials, “D.M.” and the Hungarian words: “Béke teszi a házat boldoggá.” Tarja Pajulampi, a professional translator, told us that the saying means, “Peace makes the home happy.”

The pair of bluebirds flank two sides of the central design: a beribboned wreath. This elaborate piece is worked on heavy white linen and the edges have very stylish embroidered scallops. This very large piece may have been given as a wedding gift, and possibly was used as a pillow sham. It is large enough to drape over a set of bed pillows.

A very similar motif with angels appears on a piece of German needlework in Trautes Heim Gluck allein.¹ The words on that textile are: “Zwei Lebensstuken brechen nie. Gebet und Arbeit heissen die!” Hendrika van Dongen translates this as, “The two most important pieces of a good life are prayer and hard work.”

Second Hungarian Wall Hanging Found in France

A very charming Redwork wall hanging depicts a kitchen scene in which a woman is being visited by a chimney sweep. He is holding a ladder and a tool for cleaning the chimney. The accompanying saying, in Hungarian, is this: “Kéményseprö oh te piszkos, Ha velem szembe jössz. A szerenese biztos.”

Tarja Pajulampi translates this to mean, "Chimney sweep, oh you dirty one! If I meet you..."(literally, 'if you come toward me'), “I am sure to have good luck.”² According to Margareta Faust, in some Central European countries it is thought that meeting a chimney sweeps will bring good luck in much the same way that a four leaf clover is thought to be a lucky omen elsewhere.

A woven ribbon which shows white motifs on a red background is used to finish the edges. The ribbon's design features a boy, chasing a dog, who is chasing a goose, who is chasing a boy! The panel measures 20” high x 32” wide and is delightful!

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Images from an Alsatian tablecloth

Photo by James Cummings

This design image is embroidered onto a linen tablecloth from the Alsace region. The person depicted may be Johann Roesselmann, a local Alsatian hero who defended Colmar in a war with the Bishop of Strasbourg, in 1262. He is carrying a halberd. The warrior's garb is typical, except for unusual scrolls at the bottom of his foot gear. Some believe these curly-line designs to be the initials of the embroiderer.

The tablecloth's other designs include the Strasbourg Cathedral, storks nesting, a woman with a goose, and a large design of a woman spinning. The tablecloth has red stripes that have been woven as part of the cloth, and in some instances, the Redwork embroidery overlays the red stripe.

A border of holly and berries adorn the perimeter of the tablecloth which also has a fancy edging. The date of this vintage piece is unknown, as is its provenance. Traditionally, women of the Alsace area have had a strong interest in doing Redwork embroidery.

“Alsatian Lady” line drawing derived from Vintage Tablecloth in the Collection of Patricia Cummings.  

This image appears in Redwork on an exquisite, vintage, Alsatian tablecloth. The blue/white/red rosette in the woman's headdress symbolizes allegiance to France. According to Matthew Brown of France, Germany annexed Alsace in 1870, after their victory in the Franco-Prussian War. Alsace was not returned to France until 1918, at the end of WWI. There is no way to know exactly when the tablecloth was made. The Strasbourg Cathedral, which was built of red Vosges sandstone, is one of the building motifs featured. Also included is a lovely embroidered border of holly and berries, which indicates that this tablecloth might have been made for use at Christmas. Redwork has been a popular pastime in the Alsace region

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