Hand screen, Haines, Dorcas, England, 1718
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1718
Hand screen, Haines, Dorcas, England, 1718 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1718. The museum's brief description reads: embroidered linen, 1718,English, made by Dorcas Haines.
Museum description: A flame stitch embroidered handscreen. The museum record gives measurements Height 26.5 cm; Width 25 cm; place associated: England; maker recorded: Haines, Dorcas. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This panel for a handscreen was originally mounted on a carved bone handle. It is one of a pair, and is dated 1718. Handscreens were designed to screen a woman's face from the heat of a domestic fire. They would usually be kept in pairs, at the ready, by the mantelpiece. Handscreens are typical of the type of small furnishing or dress accessory that might be decorated with silk embroidery by a woman at home, either for her own domestic use or to give as a present. Handles could be bought separately, on which the embroidery would be mounted.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Height 26.5 cm; Width 25 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Linen canvas, embroidered with silk in Florentine stitch
- Maker recorded
- Haines, Dorcas
- Place recorded
- England
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- DH 1718
Identification
- Museum object name
- Hand screen
- Museum object number
- T.93-1934
- Museum system number
- O13537
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.