Ann Elizabeth Gebler Folwell's School and Godrey Folwell
Queen of Sheba
1818
Scroll
- Embroiderer: Ann Elizabeth Gebler Folwell’s School
- Artist after Samuel Folwell: Godrey Folwell
Queen of Sheba
1818
Physical Qualities
Silk ground; silk, silk chenille, and wool embroidery threads; metallic purl and sequins; glass beads and gems, paint, 27 1/2 x 34 in. (69.9 x 86.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Purchase with exchange funds from Gift of Mrs. George A. Bunting, Gift of H.D. Caplan, and Gift of Judge Irwin Untermyer
Object Number
1992.124
This showpiece in late neoclassical style depicts the Old Testament story of the Queen of Sheba’s visit to the court of the wealthy and wise King Solomon. Created in the Philadelphia school of Anne Elizabeth Gebler Folwell (1773–1824), the scene was originally drawn by her husband Samuel, a professional artist. Following Samuel Folwell’s death in 1813, his son Godfrey reworked the design and painted in the faces and background of this and other embroideries made under his mother’s tutelage. The student embroiderer displayed exceptional skill in her use of silk and wool threads, gold and silver metallic purl (coiled threads), sequins, glass beads, and faceted glass “gems” to depict the sumptuous interior of Solomon’s palace and the imperial trappings of Sheba and her retinue.
Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1992; Steve and Carol Huber by purchase, 1991; Sotherby's, New York, NY, October 26, 1991, "Fine Americana" sale (#6227, Williams), lot 66.
Lessons Learned: American Schoolgirl Embroidery
Textiles American Needlework
"Fine Americana: Including Furniture, Art, and Folk Paintings," Sotheby's New York, October 26, 1991 (Sale 6227 WILLIAMS), lot #55, ill.
Anita Jones, 'In the Spotlight: BMA Collects,' "BMA Today," May 1994, pp.14-15, ill.
Dilys E. Blum, The Fine Art of Textiles: The Collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1997, p. 85, cat. 157, illus.
Betty Ring, Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993, Vol. II, pp. 378-387.
Betty Ring, American Needlework Treasures: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring, N.Y.: E.P. Dutton/Museum of American Folk Art, 1987, pp. 98-100.
Eleanor H. Gustafson (ed.), 'Collectors' notes,' The Magazine Antiques (October 1986),
p. 647, illus. of nearly identical example in the Phildelphia Museum of Art and print source. Article deals with Samuel and Godfrey Folwell.
Eleanor Gustafson, 'Collector's notes,' The Magazine Antiques (September 1985), pp. 526-527.
Davida Tenenbaum Deutsch, 'Samuel Folwell of Philadelphia: an artist for the needleworker,' The Magazine Antiques (February 1981), pp. 420-423.
Betty Ring, Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993, Vol. II, pp. 378-387.
Betty Ring, American Needlework Treasures: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring, N.Y.: E.P. Dutton/Museum of American Folk Art, 1987, pp. 98-100.
Eleanor H. Gustafson (ed.), 'Collectors' notes,' The Magazine Antiques (October 1986),
p. 647, illus. of nearly identical example in the Phildelphia Museum of Art and print source. Article deals with Samuel and Godfrey Folwell.
Eleanor Gustafson, 'Collector's notes,' The Magazine Antiques (September 1985), pp. 526-527.
Davida Tenenbaum Deutsch, 'Samuel Folwell of Philadelphia: an artist for the needleworker,' The Magazine Antiques (February 1981), pp. 420-423.
Inscribed: Painted by hand in gold letters on black ground of rabbet of frame: 'M.B./queen of sheba/1819' (date partially obscured). Note: a note on the piece when it was bought by the Hubers said: 'E. Burke/M072049/I.D.0008'
