Embroidered Cushion depicting Ahasuerus Receiving Esther

English, first half of the 17th century, satin ground embroidered with silk and metal threads, spangles and purl, and trimmed with needlelace and embroidered tassels; 30 x 21 cm.

The cushion depicts scenes from the Old Testament book of Esther, a popular subject found on much 17th century needlework. Esther, a young Jewish woman, intervened with her husband King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of Persia having bravely sought his council to prevent the persecution of her people, an act forbidden on pain of death. King Ahasuerus, sitting in an elaborate throne, can be seen reaching out with his sceptre to acknowledge Esther as she kneels before him. A later banquet can be seen taking place to the left. Surrounding the central figures other scenes from the story are depicted. Esther's uncle, Mordecai, was the subject of a plot by Haman that was later exposed. To the left, King Ahasuerus is seen reading of Mordecai's loyalty in bed and at the top, Mordecai rides the King's horse having been honoured for previously saving the kings life.

Portrayed in 17th century dress, the figures are richly picked out in silk threads of satin and stem stitch with couched silk and purl. The decorative embroidery motifs are typical of the period and include a castle, insects and large-scale floral designs likely to have been taken from a widely distributed printed pattern. The composition is decorated luxuriously with spangles and quantities of purl set against a ground of cream silk and is elaborately trimmed with needlelace. The four magnificent tassels are embroidered with Turk's head knots and spangles.

Gift of Miss Joan Hurst through the NACF, 2002

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