<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.