Plushwork Picture

Plushwork, also called raised Berlin work or raised embroidery, is a form of needlework in which wool yarn is very densely worked in a raised, dimensional stitch and later sheared or sculpted to create wonderful three-dimensional effects. 

This technique became popular in the middle of the 19th century. When skillfully worked, the result can be outstanding, and we are pleased to offer one of the most aesthetically pleasing examples that we have owned in many years. The great majority of these are unsigned, rendering this one even more desirable as the maker signed it, “Julia Adelia Brown” and added the name of her town, Morrisville. 

The oval center with the inscription is surrounded by plump fruits and berries. A fantastic, richly colored array of large, detailed flowers fill the balance of the composition with a beautiful, original woven tape binding framing it all perfectly. 

Remarkably, we previously owned another example of Julia’s needlework – stunning needlework portfolio covers made in 1836. Julia was quite a talented and advanced needleworker, creating various and interesting projects as an adult.  

Julia was born in 1801, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Clark) Babcock of Leyden, Franklin County, Massachusetts. In 1820, she married Clark Brown of Hopkinton, Rhode Island. They settled in Morrisville, Madison County, New York, where Mr. Brown was a harness maker and merchant, and they became the parents of nine children born between 1821 and 1840. Julia died in 1880 and is buried along with family members in Oneida Castle Cemetery.

This plushwork picture was worked in wool on felted wool with its fine original woven tape edging. It has been conservation mounted and is in a shadowbox frame.