Back to that Basket.....

18th c Bearing Cloth 1124.2020.16

   We are down to the final two items in our amazing basket, and I have been getting alot of questions regarding its provenance, so here it is.   If you haven't guessed by now, the set is English. While I do prefer to keep American pieces, beggars cant be choosers when studying early baby things.  This set belonged to Lady Margaret Basset of Tehidy, in Cornwall, U.K. Tehidy house itself has an amazing history that can be appreciated here. This set has filled many holes in the collection's assortment of 18th Christening items.   Nearly the most important, is today's subject, the Bearing Coth. 

 Seen here with the other items in the basket, its massive size can be appreciated. It has been stitched from three loom width lengths of cream silk satin, the same as that of the Christening gown, each 18.5" wide by 60" long. The total measure is 55&half by 60".

 It is trimmed with the same cream silk gimp fringe and fly braid as the other pieces in the set.  At each corner the trim has been arranged to resemble a heart shape.

 The bearing cloth is fully lined with a gossamer fine tissue silk backing. As you can see, the silk trim has been stitched on thru all layers.

The backing so thin, that the metallic threads woven thru the selvedge edges of the silk, can be seen thru it.

 Do enlarge the pictures to appreciate the details in the trim~ 

  Wonderful "fly braid' or fly fringe, dangles have been slipped into the trim at various spots. 

For those interested in provenance,  Lady Margaret's daughter, also named Margaret, married John Rogers of Penrose, in 1776.  The above photo is Penrose Estate today, in Porthleven, Cornwall~a National Trust property.  All families seem to have their problems, and the Rogers' were no exception. When the last of the heirs passed in 2016,  (you can read about that here), the contents were auctioned, including the Christening set used by Lady Basset's daughter, Margaret Rogers for her children. (different than this set, and unfortunately I was unable to acquire)

And yet, the best is still yet to come!