|
Mary Sheppard Burton Textile Artist |
|
Hindoo Shells Betty Jones of Deep River, Ontario, set her eye and hook to another piece of my art. She replicated a beautiful seashell pattern called “Hindoo Shells.” This design has an especially interesting beginning. Years ago, when we first restored our home, I tore plaster off the wall and discovered hand-hewn logs beneath the surface. There, tucked away in a chink between the logs, in their mud and horsehair filler, I found hand-woven men’s underwear wound about a broken teacup. The teacup and underwear had been used to create that chink and keep cold air out. The cup, probably from one of the Staffordshire potteries, is of soft-paste, dating back to 1765-80. During this time blue transfer patterns were embellished with flowers, seashells, and pheasants. The color was a creamy white and the glaze a pearly blue. No factory mark was on the bottom, but the name “Hindoo Shells” was surrounded by an acanthus-type oval wreath. A full range of blues from the blue/red/blue to blue/green/blue created adjacent, or analogous, chords. A braided border gave impact to the hooked center. Betty Jones used great insight and sensitivity in recreating this work. Its historic beginnings make it particularly dear to me and it has a special place in my rebuilt home |
|
|
|
Home -- Artist's Statement -- Acclaim -- Books -- Back to Gallery of Rugs - All Site Contents Copyright 2003 -- Mary Sheppard Burton -- All Rights Reserved |
