French cushion cover : 'Souvenir from the War'

Cream cotton sateen cushion cover with a gold cotton sateen back that is open at one end to allow a cushion to be inserted. The centre of the cover is embroidered in red 'SOUVENIR From the WAR'. Each corner bears a painted image of a well-known landmark of the war, with its name embroidered beneath it in gold: 'Albert' (Basilica Notre Dame de Brevieres, with broken golden Madonna); 'Ypres' (Cloth Hall); 'Reims' (Cathedral); 'Arras' (Town Hall). Each painted image is set within an embroidered stem stitch oval bearing pink and yellow appliqued ribbon roses with green leaves. The top of each oval bears an ornate, appliqued, shaded red and pink ribbon bow, with a looped gold thread edging. The long sides of the cover are edged with embroidered green leaves, each with a single mauve and yellow embroidered, and shaded mauve ribbon flower. The cover has a deep cotton lace edge threaded through with the remnants of two rows of pink silk ribbon tied in a bow at each corner.

The history of this souvenir is unknown. Items like this were produced in several stages by both the French and Belgians. The painted sections were completed first and the overall placement and design of the rest of the work sketched in in pencil, before the cloth was sent to women who worked from home to have the embroidery and applique work completed. The buyer was able to choose whether to buy the souvenir as a plain edged cushion cover or whether to pay and additional amount for a lace or crocheted border.