{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O364932"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O364932/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2011FC1759/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2011FC1759/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2011FC1759","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O364932/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O364932","accessionNumber":"T.135-1991","objectType":"Valance","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Valances were the borders or bands that ran around the two sides and end of an Elizabethan bed, hiding the bed rail or the place from which the bed curtains were suspended. They formed a frieze that was particularly suitable for embroidery with figure subjects, often featuring a narrative to provide interest and entertainment. Sets of bed hangings also created a draught-free and private sleeping compartment. \r\n\r\nThe style and workmanship of this valance suggests that it was made in a professional workshop either in France itself or under strong French influence. It depicts a scene of courtly life in an ornamental garden landscape, with figures in rich contemporary fashions.","physicalDescription":"Embroidered valance in silks and wools in tent stitch on linen, with a scene of courtly life in an ornamental garden landscape with figures in rich contemporary costume. A king is standing on the left with a black boy bearing the train of his robe. To his left are three richly dressed nobles, two of whom appear to be holding a bird. In the centre of the valance is a seated lady attending to her hair assisted by her maid-servant. A gentleman advances on her right. On the right, the same king is seated and is attended by a courtier. He appears to be receiving the same gentleman as in the previous scene.\r\n\r\nThe main colour effect is that of blue, green and yellow.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silk (fiber)","id":"AAT14072"},{"text":"linen (material)","id":"AAT14069"},{"text":"wool yarn","id":"x30441"}],"techniques":[{"text":"embroidered","id":"AAT53653"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Embroidered in silks and wools on linen","categories":[{"text":"Textiles","id":"THES48885"},{"text":"Embroidery","id":"THES48960"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&F","id":"THES48601"},"images":["2011FC1759"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"B","id":"THES304677"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Valance","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"},{"place":{"text":"France","id":"x28849"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1570-1599","earliest":"1570-01-01","latest":"1599-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Miss Maud Lilian Ochs","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"184","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"55","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":" ","type":"","note":""},{"content":" ","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"Registered File number 1957/3032.\r\nFormerly on loan to the museum, between 1957 and 1991.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Embroidered valance in silks and wools on linen, possibly made in England or France, 1570-1599","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"birds","id":"x35043"},{"text":"kings (people)","id":"AAT25481"},{"text":"landscapes (representations)","id":"AAT15636"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars label text: \r\n\r\nBed valances\r\n1580–1600\r\n\r\nSets of bed hangings created an enclosed, private space within the bedrooms of palaces and grand houses. They were a focal point for luxurious decoration. The horizontal form of valances suited narratives that continued around the bed. These four valances show scenes of courtly life and stories from classical literature.\r\n\r\nEngland, Scotland or France\r\nLinen canvas, embroidered with wool and silk\r\nV&A T.135, 136-1991. Bequeathed by Maud Ochs\r\nV&A 879&A-1904","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["T.135-1991"],"accessionNumberNum":"135","accessionNumberPrefix":"T","accessionYear":1991,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-11","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":true}}