Advanced Search 
Thumbnail-size images of copyrighted artworks are displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts, published by the College Art Association in February 2015.
Commemorative lace panel: The Battle of Britain
English
1942–46
Object Place: Nottingham, England
Medium/Technique
Jacquard-woven cotton curtain-net
Dimensions
Height x width: 173 1/4" x 62 3/4" (440 x 159 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf
Accession Number2007.774
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionMachine lace panel commemorating the Battle of Britain of 1940 featuring images of dogfights over St. Pauls Cathedral, badges of the allied air forces, and landmarks in London bombed during the Blitz.
Specific imagery includes Badge of New Zealand Royal Air Force with the National Fern Leaf, badge the Royal Canadian AirForce with Maple Leaf, Cap Badge of the Royal Air Force with the national Tudor Rose, Badge of the Austrialian Air Force with Wattle - the National Flower, Badge of the South African Air Force (Lug-Mag which is Afrikaans for "Air Force") with Protea the National Flower. Buildings include tottering building in Queen Victoria Street; City Temple, Holborn in ruins; The Old Bailey; Buckingham Palace showing damage to the gates; Bow Church; St. Clement Danes (showing remaining walls); Walls of the Guildhall; House of Commons showing damage; St. Paul's Catheredral surrounded by Flames. Other images include Figure of Fighter Pilot standing by his aircraft; Spitfires, Hurricanes, Defiants, Me's, Stukkas and Dorniers in combat; Airmen 'baling out"; a typical Country Cottage with Oak tree; an English Mansion; Thistle and Shamrock, Tudor Rose. The edging of the curtain is comprised of ripening ears of corn representing the season during which the Battle of Britain took place. Interwoven with these ears of corn are Tudor Roses, Thistles, Shamrock and Oak Leaves.
Draughtsmen are noted as J.W. Herod and W.J. Jackson.
Specific imagery includes Badge of New Zealand Royal Air Force with the National Fern Leaf, badge the Royal Canadian AirForce with Maple Leaf, Cap Badge of the Royal Air Force with the national Tudor Rose, Badge of the Austrialian Air Force with Wattle - the National Flower, Badge of the South African Air Force (Lug-Mag which is Afrikaans for "Air Force") with Protea the National Flower. Buildings include tottering building in Queen Victoria Street; City Temple, Holborn in ruins; The Old Bailey; Buckingham Palace showing damage to the gates; Bow Church; St. Clement Danes (showing remaining walls); Walls of the Guildhall; House of Commons showing damage; St. Paul's Catheredral surrounded by Flames. Other images include Figure of Fighter Pilot standing by his aircraft; Spitfires, Hurricanes, Defiants, Me's, Stukkas and Dorniers in combat; Airmen 'baling out"; a typical Country Cottage with Oak tree; an English Mansion; Thistle and Shamrock, Tudor Rose. The edging of the curtain is comprised of ripening ears of corn representing the season during which the Battle of Britain took place. Interwoven with these ears of corn are Tudor Roses, Thistles, Shamrock and Oak Leaves.
Draughtsmen are noted as J.W. Herod and W.J. Jackson.
ProvenancePurchased at Neale's auction house in Nottingham, England by Henry Sotheran, Ltd.; Purchased by donor, Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf on August 16, 2007; Gift of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf to the MFA, September 19, 2007