Patchwork mat made by Charles Henry Gillingham in India, 1870
This mat was made by Gillingham when he was serving in India. Needlecrafts such as embroidery and patchwork were encouraged as a pastime for soldiers especially in India, where boredom in lonely stations frequently led to a high consumption of alcohol. Military hospitals and convalescent homes organised similar crafts as occupational therapy.
NAM Accession Number
NAM. 1993-05-11-1
Copyright/Ownership
National Army Museum Copyright
Object URL
https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1993-05-11-1
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