Eine Million Knoten

Die Neuschöpfung des gestickten Porzellankabinetts der Herzogin Elisabeth Albertine in Mirow

Abstract

One Million Knots – The Recreation of the Embroidered Porcelain Cabinet of Duchess Elisabeth Albertine at Mirow
In the 18th century Duchess Elisabeth Albertina of Mecklenburg-Strelitz embroidered a Porcelain Cabinet as a wall decoration for an entire room at Mirow castle. By the end of the 20th century the textile artwork had disappeared seemingly without a trace. It was in 2009 that a historic colour transparency was rediscovered and also a large fragment of the original textile. These findings played a decisive role in the unique four years recreation project. In this paper the authors present in detail the genesis of the newly created embroidered Porcelain Cabinet. Practical and technical information on its recreation are interwoven with art-historical perceptions such as princely needlework, dating of the object, and the function of the decoration. The sum of this knowledge as well as the textile artwork itself demonstrate the high importance of such walldecoration and provide at the same time the justification of its recreation.