Raised Work Mirror Cover

This colourful example of 17th century raised work is worked in tiny glass beads and silver wire on silk. The tiny hands of the figures are made of painted boxwood. The centre and the figures are padded with wool. It may have originally been a mirror cover. At the time mirrors were an extremely expensive item to buy and a cover would have helped protect it, especially when travelling.

The design depicts Charles II and his wife Catherine of Braganza. It was probably made during the 1660s after the restoration of Charles II to the thrown in 1660, following the end of the Cromwell's Protectorate. Catherine of Braganza was born in 1638 and was the daughter of the King of Portugal. She married Charles II in 1662 re-inforcing England's political alliance with Portugal at the time. The couple had no children, but Charles fathered a number of illegitimate children. On his death in 1685 Catherine returned to Portugal, where she died in 1705.