Pre-Raphaelite Needlework: 'The Book of Beauty'

A closer look at a Pre-Raphaelite needlework book cover and a list of books on Victorian needlework 📖🧵🪡

May 30, 2024

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_1596-scaled.jpg — *A fine Pre-Raphaelite needlework book cover from 'The Book of Beauty'*, circa 1896 Bonhams

“Of pale green satin embroidered with the figure of a Pre-Raphaelite style maiden holding white lilies and a mirror, surrounded by flowers and foliage in blues, greens and pale pinks and couched gilt thread borders, worked with the initials F.H.W for Mrs. F. Harcourt Williamson, and the title 'The Book of Beauty', with plain panel to the left to cover the spine and reverse of the book.” - Bonhams

This intricate book cover was for 'The Book of Beauty: A Collection of Beautiful Portraits with Literary, Artistic and Musical Contributions by Men and Women of the Day' by Emma Sara Williamson, edited by Mrs. F. Harcourt Williamson, and published in 1896 in a deluxe limited edition of 300 copies. The book features “portraits of society women and their children, poems, short stories, comic sketches, music, and summaries of society events, featuring contributions from Rudyard Kipling, Lord Curzon, Sir John Millais, and J. M. Whistler” (Bonhams Footnote). Notably, it seems that the book cover alone sold for £6,000.00 at a Bonhams auction, which is a lot of money, of course, but not compared to its ethereal craftsmanship, in my opinion. Bonhams also notes that the National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum has a copy of the book, though there does not appear to be any information about it available on their website.

Unfortunately, that remains the theme of this Pre-Raphaelite needlework—a lack of information. There is also currently no documentation about this needlework’s artist or design available publicly. It was surprising to see no mention of William Morris, Morris and Co., or May Morris, since it is evident a Morris had their magic touch or at least influence on this Pre-Raphaelite maiden. For now, let’s look at the intricate details up close: