coif & forehead cloth

Summary

Fine linen coif and matching forehead cloth, both finely embroidered in unfaded coloured silks over the whole ground with a variety of birds, animals, insects and flowers (including caterpillars, butterflies, moths, peapods and carnations). These motifs are encircled with scrolling chain stitch in untarnished gold thread, and the ground is scattered with sequins. There are a variety of stitches used including braid, trellis, chain and stem. The coif is sewn from a rectangle of linen, joined at one end and gathered to form the crown. The bottom edge has a row of loops and narrow original cord ties. The matching forehead cloth comprises a simple triangle, embroidered as a piece and with short tapes at the corners of the longest edge.