Casgliadau Arlein

Silk embroidered picture, entitled 'Wales', made by Mary Parry in 1804. The design was probably inspired by an allegorical print. An almost identical example (made by Elizabeth Bryan, 1804) is in the collection of Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Washington DC.

The linen ground is embroidered with coloured silks in long and short and cross stitches and a floral, elaborate wavy line border. The whole comprises a portrait of a female figure, representing Wales, together with emblems of a goat, Prince of Wales' feathers and a leek. The ground is completely embroidered in flat stitches. The maker's inscription and date appear at the foot of the picture: 'Wales / Mary. Parry. her Work. March. 8 / 1804'.