Object number
61/242
Description
Plaited mattress made of carex (sedge). Found walled up in a house in Titchfield, Hampshire, 17th C. or earlier.
This plaited mattress is made of carex (sedge). It was found walled up in a house in Titchfield, Hampshire, and may date from the 17th century or earlier. Mattresses of this type are seen in 15th century illuminations in France. It consists of thick plaits of three, sewn together. The underneath is 'fluffy', like carpet pile. Such mattresses were used either for laying out the dead before they were placed in the coffin, or for the use of a woman in childbirth, and after use would probably have been burnt, so this mattress may not have ever been used for either purpose.
Physical description
1 mattress: sedge
Label Text
MATTRESS // DETAILS // Categories Town and Country // Theme(s) Health nutrition and medicine, Local history // Collection Adams, Peter // Date 1600s //Object number 61/242 // DESCRIPTION // This mattress was found walled up in a house in Titchfield, Hampshire, and may date from the seventeenth century or earlier. It consists of thick plaits of three, sewn together and made of Carex, a type of sedge. The underneath is fluffy, like carpet pile, and is probably unfinished. // Such mattresses were used either for laying out the dead before they were placed in the coffin or for women in childbirth. Unsurprisingly, they would probably have been burnt after use, so this mattress may not have ever been used for either purpose. // These mattresses are also commonly found as part of tomb monuments, such as this one of Chaloner Chute (c.1595-1659) at the Vyne Estate in Hampshire. Used for both noble and common monuments, it may be a statement about Death as the great equaliser.
Archival history
MERL Miscellaneous note - Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse mattress. GRSRM : 2013.9. Mattress made of woven rush with patterned flat weave on one side and loose fibres on other side. [Modes record print out and photographs], Visiting researcher note, Tim Johnson (basketmaker), 20 June 2014 – Hampshire was a centre of sedge-growing/sedge-working., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: MATTRESS (Straw) // Acc. No.: 61/242 // Group: DOMESTIC FURNISHING // Neg. no.: 60/3961 + 2 // Place of origin: Hants. Titchfield // Period in use: ? 1400-1800 - for church ornaments these were used between 1554 + 1819. Not shown earlier in this country but were drawn in 15th century illuminations in France // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Carex, A type of rush or sedge. // Shape and construction: Thick plaits of 3 sewn together // Dimensions: 72" long. 27" wide. 3" thick. // Use: Unknown. Found walled-up in a house in Titchfield. 1961. Almost certainly either for laying out the dead before they were placed in the coffin or for use of a woman in childbirth. After either use the mattress would probably have been burnt. Perhaps this one was bought but not used...'
Production date
1600-01-01 - 1699-12-31
Production period
Seventeenth century
Object name
Material
Technique
Dimensions
- Length 1800 mm
- Width 700 mm
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
