An embroidered silk apron

English, second quarter of the 18th century.
Finely embroidered in various stitches in silk and metal thread, on a cream taffeta ground. The taffeta ground bonded.
The V & A has a court mantua (acc. no. T.179 to C-1959), and a skirt panel (acc. no. T.270-1969), of similar silk embroidery. Both are illustrated in 'Embroidery in Britain from 1200 to 1750', King & Levey, V & A, 1993, nos. 111 & 112.