Autumn Topiary

The abundance of the autumn is depicted in this magnificent creation worked in silks and metal threads: coppery pine cones, golden apples, highly textured seed pods, iridescent grapes, frosted eucalyptus, plus additional floral enhancements are growing from an antique brass cachepot. The topiary is embellished with a shaded bow which simulates today’s very popular French ribbons.

In this design, which turned out to be the first in a series of six, I sought to depict the extravagance of nature’s bounty as the growing season ends. The centerpiece of the design is the golden apples, worked in that most demanding of techniques, circular couching of Japanese gold. The dark seed pods are worked in a padded needlelace. A small amount of Japanese flat silk is employed to create the lovely eucalyptus leaves which are scattered throughout the arrangement.

The leaves suggest an autumn palette, and the oak leaves reveal only their network of veins. All are gathered into a hammered copper pot which is worked in a variation of Burden Stitch–a double Hungarian, Multi color French ribbons complete the arrangements
Autumn Topiary is a salute to natures gift to her humans–the bounty which sustains our life throughout the year, Here it is glorified with metallic threads, which in no way overglorifies nature’s plenitude, but merely celebrates it with an embroiderer’s appreciation.