Section from a Bench Cushion Cover (Stars, Rosettes, Birds, Women and Hearts)

The motifs used within the different bands that form this design can vary quite considerable: here we see women in octagons, crosses and hearts in a diamond lattice, eight-pointed stars in eight-petalled rosettes, and birds in squares within eight-petalled rosettes. This design was frequently used for cushions of all sizes as well as for bed covers. On most tapestry-woven cushions it is possible to see if they are complete from the design, but on these banded design weaves it is less easy to tell. It is assumed that this was probably once part of a long bench cover.