Early 18th century

Chinoiserie Valance

This needlepoint valance, with its fanciful scenes featuring Chinese acrobats and musicians, is in the style of the petit point canvas work produced at the Maison de Saint-Louis (1685-1793), a college founded by King Louis XIV at the request of Madame de Maintenon for daughters of impoverished nobles. The girls were instructed in embroidery and produced panels for walls and furniture, including bed valances such as the one seen here.