The embroidered wedding towel “Expelling Ada” of the late 18th century with the scene of the fall of Adam and Eve is a unique monument of folk art presented in the Russian Museum. An interesting inscription has been preserved in the upper part:
Towel “Expelling Ada”
Creation period
the late 18th century
Place of сreation
Oryol
Dimensions
64x246 cm
Technique
linen, canvas, drawn thread work
Exhibition
1
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#9
This is the towel of the city of Oryol, Pyotr Nemytov, to the daughter of his Praskove Petrovna.
#10
Only one end of the towel is on display, the second part is removed and hemmed, and it lacks any inscription.
In the center of the composition, in a rectangular frame with a wavy floral pattern, is the Tree of Knowledge with a Serpent, the naked figures of Adam and Eve, and the paradise animals surrounding them and filling the entire space.
The iconography of the Fall scene appears on frescoes, in engraved printed Bibles, in religious popular prints, in Kholmogory sculpture of the 18th century, and on small chests. Presumably, the images of animals on the towel were borrowed from the book “Symbola Et Emblemata”, published by Peter I in 1705.
The embroidery is made with white threads on a white linen fabric with a “twist” technique. Instead of a tambour seam, each image is outlined with dense stitching, made with thick loose threads. The extraordinary skill of the embroiderer who created this towel is evidenced by a variety of stitch patterns that fill in the details of the images and create a rich and varied texture of embroidery. The unicorn “in apples”, the deer, the snake wrapping itself around the Tree of Knowledge, the leaves, and the celestial bodies — each image is made with its special seam.
The embroidered part is separated from the lace edge by a loop and a satin stitch border. The scalloped lace adorning the ends of the towel are filled with floral patterns woven with even thin linen braid. Such patterns of intertwined ribbons and flowers were used in local Oryol lace at the end of the 18th century.
The inscription suggests that this is a wedding towel. However, the composition placed on it is not typical for wedding embroidered items. Perhaps the towel was embroidered by Praskovya Petrovna herself, but this can only be surmised.
In the center of the composition, in a rectangular frame with a wavy floral pattern, is the Tree of Knowledge with a Serpent, the naked figures of Adam and Eve, and the paradise animals surrounding them and filling the entire space.
The iconography of the Fall scene appears on frescoes, in engraved printed Bibles, in religious popular prints, in Kholmogory sculpture of the 18th century, and on small chests. Presumably, the images of animals on the towel were borrowed from the book “Symbola Et Emblemata”, published by Peter I in 1705.
The embroidery is made with white threads on a white linen fabric with a “twist” technique. Instead of a tambour seam, each image is outlined with dense stitching, made with thick loose threads. The extraordinary skill of the embroiderer who created this towel is evidenced by a variety of stitch patterns that fill in the details of the images and create a rich and varied texture of embroidery. The unicorn “in apples”, the deer, the snake wrapping itself around the Tree of Knowledge, the leaves, and the celestial bodies — each image is made with its special seam.
The embroidered part is separated from the lace edge by a loop and a satin stitch border. The scalloped lace adorning the ends of the towel are filled with floral patterns woven with even thin linen braid. Such patterns of intertwined ribbons and flowers were used in local Oryol lace at the end of the 18th century.
The inscription suggests that this is a wedding towel. However, the composition placed on it is not typical for wedding embroidered items. Perhaps the towel was embroidered by Praskovya Petrovna herself, but this can only be surmised.
#11
“Symbola Et Emblemata”. 1705
#12
Inscriptions to the animals: a deer, a pelican, a unicorn, and a camel
#13
The State Russian Museum
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Towel “Expelling Ada”
Creation period
the late 18th century
Place of сreation
Oryol
Dimensions
64x246 cm
Technique
linen, canvas, drawn thread work
Exhibition
1
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