Ada Limn, Bright Dead Things

Ada Limón, Bright Dead Things

Embroidered Casket about 1675, England, wood covered with satin, silk and metal thread, mica and glass beads, ivory (figures in the garden) 32 x 21 x 26cm

In many cases the final challenge [for a woman learning embroidery] was the production of a casket like this one, depicting scenes from myth or the Bible using a wide range of stitches and materials. In particular these caskets employ raised work, the technique of embroidering over padding.

It is probable that each individual figure or element was sewn independently and then applied to the delicate white satin background. This meant that the needlewoman could experiment and correct mistakes which would be impossible to rework on the satin. Once the panels were completed they were sent to a local cabinet-maker who mounted them on wood and made them up into a casket. The silver braid conceals the joins and prevents the satin from fraying.

(image and text from the Victoria and Albert Museum)

vintage Moschino piano skirt

Hope you are happy now. —winter message.

side note*

Yesterday, I was on the way to the MRT after having dinner with my friends. I saw a father and son or whether they were friends. I don’t know because the two hugged each other tightly and couldn’t tell their age. One said: You have to take good care of yourself, you know? The other one just buried his face deeply in each other’s chest, they hugged for a long time, the heartfelt words shouted out to each other, and the unforgettable moving is there. It has nothing to do with the flow of time and surroundings, it is their precious moment. They were still hugging until I slowly walked out of the MRT station. They wiped the tears from the corners of their eyes, some moved and a little sad.

昨天跟朋友一起吃完飯以後再轉乘捷運的路上，看見一對父子還是是朋友我不清楚因為兩個人緊緊相擁，看不出年齡。一個說：你要好好照顧自己，知道嗎？另一個只是把他的臉深深埋在對方的胸膛，他們一直擁抱著，彼此喊出的內心話，刻骨銘心的感動正存在在那裡。無關乎周圍與時間的流動，那是他們寶貴的瞬間。直到我緩慢的走出捷運站時，他們依然擁抱著。他們擦著眼角的淚，一些感動也有一點悲傷。

a wife and a stranger

truer words have never been spoken (x)