NOTE: There is no sound with this video
In 1671 Martha Edlin embroidered this casket
She was just eleven years old
She initialled the casket with M.E. in tiny pearls
Animals were common embroidery motifs
They show Martha’ s skilful needlework
A variety of stitches create different textures
Pearls, silk and metal threads were used
Some of the fine details are raised
Figures of women representing the Seven Virtues decorate the sides
This one holding an anchor is Hope
Martha could look at herself in the mirror while she was dressing
She might have kept things she had made in her casket
Here are her needle case, bodkin and pin cushion
The bottle is for scented water
The slots are for holding rings
The small box has a secret drawer
A second secret drawer is under the ring holder
It may have contained Martha’ s silver locket and her medallion of Charles 1
Martha's casket is rare because of its skilful needlework and varied contents
Her sampler reveals the rarest thing of all
The full name of the girl who embroidered the casket, Martha Edlin