Embroidered Burse

Embroidered burse

St Augustine's Church, Kilburn, London NW6

In ecclesiastical terms, a burse is for carrying the "corporal" — the linen cloth used to cover the elements in the Eucharist (OED)

The delicate white embroidery is perfect here: like all forms of embroidery, white on white was rather fashionable at this time, but required a great deal of skill. [Commentary continues below. Mouse over the text for links.]

Photographs by John Salmon, with thanks to St Augustine's Church; text by Jacqueline Banerjee.

You may use the image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit John Salmon and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.

The Victoria & Albert Museum's guide to embroidery styles explains that it is not the particular technique used (whether counted-thread and freestyle) but the "distinctive appearance of white-embroidery-on-white-material" that gives this kind of work its name. It points out that "[t]he stitching must be smooth and even, requiring considerable skill," so that it was often the work of professionals. "As with other forms of embroidery, however, in the mid- to late-19th century it became a fashionable pastime for middle-class European and American women. Whitework is commonly used for ecclesiastical linens and garments, as well as nightclothes, christening wear and trimmings, and normally features holes (created either by cutting or drawing threads apart) as an element of decoration." propped up against a gleaming chalice, this one with its grape motif looks particularly refined.

Bibliography

"Embroidery Styles: An Illustrated Guide." Victoria and Albert Museum. 28 April 2021.

Created 28 April 2021