Lee (Arthur H. & Sons). A large crewelwork panel, Birkenhead, 1959

Lee (Arthur H. & Sons). A large crewelwork panel, Birkenhead, 1959, hand-embroidered in coloured wools on a fawn brocade ground, with all over floral design of trailing foliage and large flowers, in shades of green, pink, orange, green, yellow, blue, and purple, using long & short stitch, stem stitch, French knots, and satin stitch, selvedges to sides, upper and lower edges hemmed with machine-stitching, .5 cm closed tear to lower left corner (not affecting embroidery), manufacturer's card label stitched through two eyelets to one corner, bearing company monogram and giving typed and manuscript information: 'Crewel-Craft Embroidery, Emb: April 1959, Gayton. A design in the late Georgian style showing French influence. (Circa 1780 A.D.)', adhesive fabric manuscript label to verso 'Gayton crewel, fawn damask ground', 273 x 129.5 cm (107.5 x 51 in)

(Qty: 1)

Rare large embroidered panel by Arthur H. Lee in excellent condition, most likely a sample piece, and never used. Important textile designer and manufacturer Arthur H. Lee (1853-1932) founded his prestigious family firm in Bolton in 1888, subsequently building a factory in Birkenhead in 1908. The company continued throughout the 20th century under the direction of Arthur's three sons and five grandsons before closing in 1970. The American branch of the firm, Lee Jofa, is still in existence in New York. As well as developing innovative methods of weaving tapestry cloths, and producing high-quality hand-blocked fabrics, Lee is particularly known for his revival of the practise of hand-crafted needlepoint and crewelwork. Such pieces now seldom appear on the market.