Cushion

Refined Antique Pillow Cover in Pure Linen with Floral Embroidery and Cutwork Edge - Early 20th Century
Splendid and elegant antique pillow cover dating from the early 1900s (circa 1900–1910), an authentic testament to the excellence of textile craftsmanship and traditional ensembles of the late Victorian period.
The piece is entirely handmade and decorated on a precious antique pure linen fabric, characterized by the typical and captivating flame-like texture of the era's threads, sturdy to the touch and with a delicate natural ivory tone.
• The Central Embroidery: The central panel hosts an incredibly graceful floral embroidery, masterfully executed by hand. It features a sinuous stem with large open flowers, buds, and lanceolate leaves. The color palette relies on warm, period-appropriate threads: shades of antique pink for the petals, olive and sage greens for the foliage, with precise details in ochre yellow and brown at the heart of the flowers. The techniques used alternate satin stitch (which gives the petals a three-dimensional relief), stem stitch, and refined knot stitches.
• The Open Edge: Framing the central embroidery is a splendid and dense openwork edging ("open edge" or cutwork). This complex ladder-like pierced work, done by counting the warp threads one by one, finishes the inner perimeter with geometric precision.
• Dimensions: Outside industrial standards, it measures approximately 50 x 44 cm (further testament to the tailoring and artisanal craftsmanship of the piece).
• Conditions: Excellent overall condition for a century-old fabric. The linen structure is solid, the embroidery intact, and the colors well preserved.