After spending around a hundred years locked in a trunk, this bedspread was given to Standen to display. The freshness and excellent condition of the bedspread is due to being kept in a stable, dark environment where the humidity and light couldn’t reach it. It was handmade at the Morris & Co. workshop in the Embroidery Department which May, William’s younger daughter, directed from 1885. It is conceivable that she could have supervised the work on this bedspread in around 1896.
Usually kept in very low light levels to help preserve this delicate textile, it’s lovely to see the silk stitches gleaming briefly while we cleaned it this week. It’s such a privilege to be helping conserve such a beautiful object which represents so many hours work by those who made it.
Make and Do 