Omnipresent beads

BEADS developed as a decorative craft in Europe in the Middle Ages, used mainly on embroidery, and by the 17th century beadwork was the accomplishment for every well brought up young gal, as along with the regulation samplers and the embroidered casket came the top-rated beadwork jewel box.

Beadwork’s popularity declined during the 18th century and by the 19th century feminine and improving crafts assumed great importance with magazines publishing endless instructions for making fire screens, tea cosies, watch pockets, covers for mantelpieces, mats and ever more mats, purses and reticules, braces, garters, bracelets and pincushions, with the beads frequently worked in Berlin woolwork.

There is a small reference to the Native American element: “It is not known when the Native Americans discovered how to make wampum from the inside of the quahog clam found on the New England coast, but these white, black and purple beads were so difficult to make and so prized that they became a symbol of wealth and status and were used as currency.”

This book was previously published in black and white only and it is now a pity that not all the images in Beadwork are in colour. The author is a textile and embroidery consultant and her book describes and illustrates the many styles and types of work and the techniques used. There is a useful list of places to visit and in the list of further reading there is mention of Joan Edwards’ The Beaded Dress (Costume Society 1967).