Inlay Patchwork

Cover with inlay patchwork, English, second half 19th century. Cover with inlay patchwork, English, second half 19th century. Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London, acc. no. T.200-1969.

This is a form of patchwork whereby a design is cut out of two pieces of cloth, which are, generally, differently coloured. Each design cut out from one piece of cloth is sewn into the hole made by the other. 

Examples of inlay patchwork have survived from the Mamluk period (AD 1250–1517) in Egypt and these and others were often used for heraldic purposes – large banners or flags depicting the emblem of court officials, etc. It is sometimes called mosaic embroidery, inlaid patchwork or inlaid appliqué. Inlay patchwork, with felted wool, is also known from Iran, and in particular from the town of Rasht (click here for a Qajar-era tent panel now in the Victoria and Albert Museum [acc. no. 858-1892], decorated with inlay patchwork).

V&A online catalogue (retrieved 29th June 2016).

GVE

Last modified on Saturday, 02 September 2017 16:01
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