The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 14, 2025
Pair of Needlework Bed Hangings in the Bizarre Style
1710–20
Overall: 82.5 cm (32 1/2 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 2006.2
Location: Not on view
Did You Know?
The design of this pair of needlework panels is known as a "bizarre" pattern.Description
These panels would have hung originally around a bed post as part of a full set of hangings on a bedstead in the early 1700's. Elaborate textile hangings were a conspicuous display of wealth since many ladies received their friends within their bedchamber. A full set enveloped the entire bedstead and, when closed, helped retain warmth long after the fire had gone out. This particular pair of panels is remarkable in that they represent many hours of highly skilled needlework. Their design is known as a "bizarre" pattern, which mimicked woven silks of the same era that were asymmetrical, boldly stylized adaptations of Asian fabrics that were coming into the European market from the trading routes at the time.- {{cite web|title=Pair of Needlework Bed Hangings in the Bizarre Style|url=false|author=|year=1710–20|access-date=14 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2006.2