Embroidered Petticoat Border c. 1936

Lawrence Peterson made this embroidered petticoat border, but we don't know exactly when. What's immediately striking is the pastoral scene, featuring deer, dogs, and a variety of stylized flora, offering a glimpse into the tastes and preoccupations of its time. Likely created in the late 19th or early 20th century, this piece reflects a broader Arts and Crafts movement trend that emphasized handcraftsmanship in response to industrialization. Embroidery, traditionally a domestic activity, gained new artistic recognition and was an acceptable creative outlet for women in particular. The imagery itself harkens back to idealized rural life, a common theme in art as societies became more urbanized. Understanding this work requires considering the social status of textiles, the gendered division of labor, and the longing for a pre-industrial past that defined the cultural landscape of Peterson's time. Further archival research into textile production and the Arts and Crafts movement may shed even more light on this lovely piece.