dolls house source information

Miscellaneous Soft Furnishings

Cushions

Cushions were in everyday use from the Victorian through to the Edwardian period. Popular patterns for cushion fronts included:-

Flowers
Classical urns
Geometric patterns
Animals
Posies and garlands
Art Nouveau designs
Patchwork – hexagonal, square or crazy
Quilted cushions

Mantel Valances

Mantel Valances hung along the edge of the mantel piece during late Victorian times. Typical designs were geometric, floral, swags and tails and garlands.

Bell Pulls

Bell pulls were hung near fireplaces and doors. They were used to ring the bell in the servants quarters to summon waiting staff. Floral designs, fruits and flowers are well suited to the whole Victorian era, whilst geometric designs were common after the 1880’s.

Screens

Used throughout the Victorian era and into the Edwardian for a variety of reasons:-

Pole screen - raised or lowered on a support to protect a ladies complexion from the heat of a fire.
Fire screens – stood in the fireplace when the fire was not lit
2/3/4 panel screens - divide rooms into specific functions, provide privacy and stop drafts.

The decorative areas of these screens were often painted, embroidered or woven tapestry. Common designs included:-

flowers
birds
pictoral and narrative scenes
geometric patterns

Table Covers

During the nineteenth century tables were covered with linen cloths, or trimmed velvet and chenille. Even side tables had mats, lace runners or embroidered linen. Table cloths were typically rectangular with square corners or shaped with rounded corners

Embroidered Pictures and Samplers

Samplers ranged from basic learning exercises with alphabets and numbers in a variety of stitching styles to highly decorative pieces made to hang on the wall. Whilst they were being produced these pieces were stretched over frames, others were rolled up and kept in the work box.

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