This embroidered border was inspired by the painted border of a letterwritten by Lady Anne Clifford to her father in 1598 - the time of Elizabeth I and Shakespeare. Workedon ivory silk satin, in stumpwork and surface embroidery, this design featuresfourteen assorted flowers and fruits popular at the time, including theApothecary rose, Sweet briar and Heartsease, Barberries, Bellflower, Borage andPeriwinkle, Cornflower, Gillyflower and Knapweed, and Grapes, Plums,Redcurrants and Strawberries. As in the original letter, the panel is outlinedwith pairs of fine red lines - these have been worked in back stitch. Thisborder may be used to surround a mirror, or to enclose a special photograph, a monogram,a precious memento, or perhaps a tiny stumpwork figure.