Tree of Life

Appleton wool on linen

9 x 12 inches

‘Crewel’ is the old Welsh word for wool. One of the earliest examples of crewelwork is the Bayeux Tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman Conquest. Crewelwork was popular for ecclesiastical embroidery. The technique gained more popularity during the reign of King James I of England in the first quarter of the 17th century. Crewel embroidery is characterised by fanciful plant and animal motifs worked in a variety of stitches with a two-ply wool yarn on a linen twill. These became popular designs for curtains, bed hangings, soft furnishings etc.