{"product_id":"antique-arts-and-crafts-crewelwork-mantel-pelmet-panel-with-sunflowers-and-irises-c-1890","title":"Antique Arts and Crafts Crewelwork Mantel Pelmet Panel with Sunflowers and Irises, c.1890","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn extraordinary antique Arts and Crafts crewelwork mantel pelmet panel, later adapted into an impressive full length window pelmet, with exquisite large scale floral embroidery and richly considered colour.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of those pieces that stops you in your tracks. The original embroidered panel dates from around 1890 and features an impressive arrangement of large scale stylised sunflowers, irises and sweeping foliage, worked in richly coloured crewel wool against a deep plum red twill ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe floral embroidery is exquisite. The oversized botanical forms fill the original panel with an expressive, almost monumental quality, while mustard, ochre and warm yellow wool create a distinctive Arts and Crafts colour palette. Against the deep plum ground, the colours have an extraordinary depth and warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sunflower heads are particularly beautiful, with their centres worked in dense raised French knot stitching. The tiny knots create a wonderfully tactile surface, giving the flowers an almost sculptural quality when viewed closely. Alongside them, the sweeping irises and foliage are formed from beautifully varied wool stitches, creating a rich contrast of texture across the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original panel has a wonderfully expressive architectural shape. Rather than following a symmetrical formal arrangement, its lower edge is formed from dramatic angular, stepped lappets which cascade downwards, with dense linear embroidery following their contours. There are four stepped lappets, with longer drops at either side. The combination of large scale botanical forms and strong geometric structure gives the original textile its distinctive Arts and Crafts character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe antique embroidered panel measures approximately 114 cm in length and is believed to date from around 1890. It was aquired more than twenty years ago from an antique shop on West Street in Dorking, Surrey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring its later life, the original mantel pelmet panel was thoughtfully adapted into a much larger window pelmet. Plum vintage twill chenille and a protective lining were added around the antique embroidery, creating an overall piece measuring approximately 280 cm in length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis later adaptation is an important part of its history. The outer fabric and lining have themselves now acquired gentle signs of age from around two decades of use, allowing the original embroidered panel to sit naturally within its later form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is so much to look at here: the sweeping irises, oversized sunflowers, exquisite French knot details, dense wool embroidery, strong diagonal ground and unusual architectural silhouette. The scale of the original floral design gives it real presence, while the later adaptation allows it to be used as a striking window treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, this is exactly the kind of textile that makes an old house feel individual. It has texture, scale, colour and craftsmanship, but most importantly, it has character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA truly exceptional piece of antique British textile work, with a fascinating later life and an original Arts and Crafts embroidered panel of remarkable visual impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType: Antique embroidered mantel pelmet panel, later adapted into a window pelmet\u003cbr\u003eDate of original embroidered panel: Approximately 1890\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: Late Victorian \/ Arts and Crafts\u003cbr\u003eTechnique: Crewelwork embroidery\u003cbr\u003eDesign: Large scale sunflowers, irises and foliage\u003cbr\u003eGround: Deep plum red diagonal twill\u003cbr\u003eEmbroidery: Crewel wool, including French knot detailing\u003cbr\u003eOriginal embroidered panel: Approximately 114 cm\u003cbr\u003eStepped lappets: Four, with longer drops at either side\u003cbr\u003eLater adaptation: Converted into a larger window pelmet approximately 20 years ago\u003cbr\u003eLater fabric: Plum \u003cspan\u003evintage twill chenille \u003c\/span\u003ewith protective gold colour cotton lining\u003cbr\u003eCountry of origin: Believed to be England\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall later adapted pelmet:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 280 cm\u003cbr\u003eLeft side drop: 103 cm\u003cbr\u003eRight side drop: 88 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal antique embroidered panel:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 114 cm\u003cbr\u003eShortest stepped lappet section: 35 cm\u003cbr\u003eStepped lappet drop: 45 cm\u003cbr\u003eRight side drop: 75 cm\u003cbr\u003eLeft side drop: 93 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original embroidered panel has an intentionally asymmetric stepped profile, with four lappets and longer drops at either side. The 35 cm measurement is taken at the shortest central section, where the shape rises towards an almost triangular point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWonderful antique condition for a textile of this age. The original embroidery remains strong, beautifully textured and visually impressive, with only a small number of minor wool thread pulls and other signs of age and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe later plum fabric and protective lining are also in good vintage condition, with gentle signs of age consistent with their approximately twenty year history. The panel does still have adhesive tape on the reverse side from when it was hung over 20 years ago which would need to be replaced or removed depending on use of this item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe piece is substantial and structurally sound, with the original embroidered panel securely incorporated into its later form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease study the photographs and video carefully as they form an important part of the description, particularly when assessing condition, colour, scale and the irregularity of the original embroidered panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUK delivery of £20 is charged separately at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis piece will be carefully folded without sharp creasing, securely wrapped and packed into a strong protective box to safeguard the original embroidery during transit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt will be sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery, providing a fully tracked and secure service with full compensation cover.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you would like to discuss delivery before purchasing, please get in touch. I am very happy to help.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Love Nicki x","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57252132225348,"sku":null,"price":420.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0856\/9061\/4084\/files\/Untitleddesign-2026-09-15T130734.606_e1588386-4bcb-45ff-be2d-f2b95e63e8df.png?v=1789475739","url":"https:\/\/lovenickix.co.uk\/products\/antique-arts-and-crafts-crewelwork-mantel-pelmet-panel-with-sunflowers-and-irises-c-1890","provider":"Love Nicki x","version":"1.0","type":"link"}