Carpet

Item

Title
Carpet
Description
This is a hand knit carpet indicative of the requirements journey men had to make in order to become part of any Hand-Knitter's Guilds around Europe. Knitting Guilds developed as early as the 14th century. It is believed to have taken three years of trained to become a journeyman. To gain membership into the guild, journeymen knitters had two produce what are called masterworks. This example from the 18th century probably meets one of the requirements: a wall hanging patterned with flowers. This artisan from Strasbourg went above and beyond with the carpet featuring the figures of Adam and Eve, Jacob's Dream and the inscription "Hilfe wirt gott ferner schicken meinne feinden zum verdus" : God will continue to send help in despite of mine enemies. 
Creator
unknown French
Date
1781 AD
Coverage
Strasbourg
Type
Wall hanging
Format
Stocking stitch, Colorwork
Provenance
Given by Eric Pasold.
Identifier
T.375-1977
Access Rights
Personal use access with restrictions (Maximum 4000 copies, or 5 years digital use; No book jacket, or homepage lead image use; Maximum A5 print / 768px digital use; Images © Victoria and Albert Museum, London)