King David
The Museum’s Textile Collection is large and varied. A large portion of it remains hidden in storage because light is very damaging to the fibers and colors of these fragile items. But in those storage drawers and cabinets are treasures of a very personal nature – from clothing worn by Charlestonians to beautiful handmade textiles lovingly stitched by someone here in the Lowcountry.
This fragile silk embroidery with watercolor details was worked here in Charleston by Isabella Elizabeth Safford and is dated July 24, 1820. This type of needlework, along with its Biblical theme, was very popular in the early 19th century. Isabella likely took her inspiration from the Bible verse Samuel 16:23: And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
In addition to the silk thread, satin weave silk ground and watercolor face and sky, the image is enhanced with gilt metal purl (metallic thread), metal spangles and silk chenille, all adding to the dimensionality of the work. The reverse painted glass bears the title “David.” These ornamental embroideries made by young women were often framed and proudly placed in the sitting room.
Isabella (1806-1845) was the daughter of Captain John Safford, a maritime merchant who moved from Ipswich, Massachusetts to Charleston in 1800. She married John M. Deas, a Methodist minister here. The couple raised their niece, Isabella Elizabeth Deas Walker after Isabella’s sister Harriet died in 1839. At Isabella’s death in 1845, Bishop Capers described her as a woman who was “For many years a burning and shining light.”
The miniature portrait is of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Deas with their niece, Isabella Walker, c. 1840. It is a copy, oil on celluloid, of the original painting. Both this portrait and the needlework were given to the Museum in 1980 by Isabella Walker’s great-grandchildren, Miss Isabella D. Harris and Captain David A. Harris.