Over many a quiet evening, ancestors Susanna Jennens (1688-1760), and daughter Mary (1709-1788), would have spent hours creating these sumptuous panels of crewel-work embroidery, featuring trails and festoons of colourful flowers including roses, lilies, hollyhocks, carnations, tulips, jasmine and honeysuckle, quite likely inspired by the gardens at Weston Hall, then known as Weston House. The universal devotion to crewel-work, named after the crewel or worsted wool used, was revived in the late 17th century by Queen Mary II (d.1694), and remained fashionable in the first half of the 18th century. 

A letter, undated, possibly July 1731, from Susanna’s sister shows that the design of the hangings offered in the forthcoming sale, and possibly the chairs, was the result of a collaborative effort between the three women - Susanna, her sister, and her daughter: “I have begun a pattern for the curtains of the bed and have made some alteration in your pattern of the valens, which will do very well, and may be added to her work when she sees it, as I have altered your work, if she likes it”.  In the 1930s, Georgia, Lady Sitwell reworked elements of this suite of furniture, furthering the theme of the Weston Hall women having a continuing impact on the very fabric of the house’s interiors.   This wonderful collection of Needlework Furniture - some of which is featured in this film - will be auctioned on 16 & 17 November 2021.

AUCTION DETAILS
Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 November | 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:
Full auction on view at Dreweatts Newbury from Wednesday 10 - Monday 15 November 2021:
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

To book an appointment, please email: housesales@dreweatts.com or call 44 (0) 1635 553 553.

ENQUIRIES:
The catalogue will be available and online in October. If you wish to purchase a printed catalogue, the cost including postage is:

UK: £30
Europe: £40
USA / Africa / Asia: £50
Australasia: £55

To order a catalogue, please pay online here. Please put 'SITWELL AUCTION CATALOGUE' in the 'Invoice number' field and ensure you complete all other fields. 

General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: smaylor@dreweatts.com