Martha Edlin's Casket

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