Silk Embroidery of a Parrot

Needleworkers turned their interests to exotic birds in natural settings as they became familiar with and enjoyed the art of John James Audubon, who published The Birds of America between 1827 and 1838. Included were many inspiring color plates, and young ladies produced excellent needlework pictures of similar subjects. This highly colored parrot perched on a branch leaning in towards three fat strawberries is an excellent example - every feather is separated stitched, each leaf is specifically veined and the berries have seeds worked in French knots.  

This silk embroidery was worked in silk on silk and remains in its original gold leaf frame and eglomisé mat. It is in excellent condition.