. . "Bearing cloths were used to wrap around swaddled babies (babies wrapped round with strips of cloth) or to carry them on for christenings (baptisms) and other ceremonial occasions. The cloths were made of rich materials and this example is made of silk brocaded with silver and silver-gilt thread. The main purpose of bearing cloths was to display a family's wealth and status, and to celebrate a new birth. Since they were used only on special occasions and with great care, they were often passed down through families over generations."@en . "1800 / 1850, France" . "Dark blue silk satin; pattern obtained by supplementary brocading wefts and by the liser\u00E9 efects of the ground weft, France or Italy, 1800-1850"@en . "A rectangular christening or bearing cloth made of dark blue satin with self-coloured pattern and brocading in silver and silver-gilt thread. Lined with plain-woven silk. Pattern in comber repeat."@en . . . "0.97089999914169311523"^^ . . . . "Dark blue silk satin; pattern obtained by supplementary brocading wefts and by the liser\u00E9 efects of the ground weft, France or Italy, 1800-1850"@en . . . . . "A rectangular christening or bearing cloth made of dark blue satin with self-coloured pattern and brocading in silver and silver-gilt thread. Lined with plain-woven silk. Pattern in comber repeat."@en . "1800 / 1850, France" . "T.44-2008" . "Bearing cloths were used to wrap around swaddled babies (babies wrapped round with strips of cloth) or to carry them on for christenings (baptisms) and other ceremonial occasions. The cloths were made of rich materials and this example is made of silk brocaded with silver and silver-gilt thread. The main purpose of bearing cloths was to display a family's wealth and status, and to celebrate a new birth. Since they were used only on special occasions and with great care, they were often passed down through families over generations."@en .