Cloth with Border of Female Figures and Peacocks

18th-19th century

Cloth with Border of Female Figures and Peacocks, 18th-19th century. Russia, 18th-19th century. Cutwork and drawnwork: linen; straight (continuous) bobbin lace (tape lace) edging; applied silk (est.) ribbon; overall: 89.8 x 95.2 cm (35 3/8 x 37 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of J. H. Wade 1921.1134 This cloth may have functioned as a towel. On one end, there are two panels of lace work surrounded by pink silk ribbon. Within each panel are two women flanking a stylized peacock. A smaller bird flies near the head of the woman on the right side of each panel. Handmade lace for marriage dowries was produced at large quantities in Russia during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.