Enbroidered bed curtain 1742 - 1745

This embroidered bed curtain, created by Sarah Noyes Chester between 1742 and 1745, is a fine example of colonial-era needlework. The delicate floral motifs, rendered in a variety of colors, are meticulously stitched onto a white linen ground. The curtain's simple yet elegant design reflects the prevailing tastes of the time, and its placement in the bedroom suggests its intended function as a decorative element. The work is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, where it showcases the artistry and skill of women during the early American period.