The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 12, 2026

A dome-shaped cream silk nightcap features a rounded crown and dark gray silver thread embroidery. A horizontal braided band circles the middle, dividing the cap into sections of repeating floral motifs. Curving vines form circular medallions enclosing various flowers and leaf-like forms. Small, textured stitches create a raised effect across the surface, which shows light creasing near the base. The intricate scrolling design covers the entire beige background.

Man's Nightcap

late 1500s

England, Elizabethan Period, late 16th century

Silk, silver thread, plaited braiding, linen; embroidery: chain and buttonhole stitches
Overall: 16.9 x 18 x 18 cm (6 5/8 x 7 1/16 x 7 1/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1950.352
Location: Not on view

Description

According to Elizabethan embroidery scholar Jacqui Carey, this man’s nightcap is constructed of a single piece of embroidered, plain weave linen, cut and folded as is typical of the period. The four points cut into the top edge of the fabric are joined to form the crown while the lower edge is folded back to create the brim. The top edge of the brim is trimmed with bobbin lace. The seams on the crown are hidden with decorative stitching. The floral motifs (rose, borage, pansy and strawberry) set within coiling stems and foliage also is typical of the period. The embroidered motifs are worked with silver metal thread (thin metal strips wrapped around a white silk core). The design is the same in each quadrant. Eight different stitches are used on the nightcap, inclding Elizabethan plaited braid stitch (standard version), Elizabethan plaited braid stitch (variation two), chain stitch, Elizabethan double looped edging (on chain stitch), Elizabethan corded detached buttonhole stitch, Elizabethan spider’s web, five-spoke Elizabethan spider’s web, Elizabethan double ladder with filling, and Elizabethan double Ceylon.
  • Art of Embroidery in Late Medieval Europe (Textile Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 19, 2020-April 11, 2021).
    Only for Beauty? (Textile Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 8, 2014-December 7, 2015).
    35th Anniversary Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 20-September 30, 1951).
  • {{cite web|title=Man's Nightcap|url=false|author=|year=late 1500s|access-date=12 April 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1950.352