Doll's cushion of silk damask, London, 1690-1700Doll's cushion of ivory silk damask. The seam is laid over with pink silk embroidery thread which is couched down with blue silk embroidery thread. It is square and hard stuffed.<b>Object Type</b><br>
Cushions were frequently used in the 17th century to soften wood furniture. The majority of wooden chairs and stools were not upholstered, and in more prosperous homes decorative cushions were widely used both for comfort and for the attraction of their appearance. Lady Clapham's cushion is thought to have been intended for the doll's back. However, placed at her back it is very difficult to position the doll in her chair, so the cushion is usually put under her feet.<br><br>
<b>Materials & Making</b><br>
The cushion is made of ivory silk damask exported from China for the European market. The seam is overlaid with pink silk thread and couched in blue silk thread. Normally cushions were stuffed with wool, but in this example it was filled with sawdust.Dolls were widely produced in the 17th century, although very few survive. It is most unlikely that these particular examples were the playthings of children. Their production is of a high quality; almost all the accessories survive and there is little wear and tear on the dolls and their garments. The dolls were most probably purchased for the amusement of adults, and as a decorative accessory to a home.British Galleries:
These dolls were probably made for the amusement of adults at home, as were dolls' houses at this time. They were named 'Lord and Lady' of the family home in Clapham, London by their owners, the Cockerell family. The outfits of the dolls are perfect miniatures of London fashions of 1690 and 1700. She wears a mantua (gown) of Chinese silk over stays (a stiff corset), with an under-wired cap and high-heeled shoes. [27/03/2003]