Dried Plant Doily

A ten pointed doily with a brown edge. In the center there is a fern and more plants.
Doily from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: Canada 
Year: ca. 1900 
Material: Silk, Paper, glue, and plants  

Eldon House has a collection of botanical fabrics. These pieces, which were likely made by the Harris women, feature dried plants glued onto piece of fabric. The collection is a stunning mix of ferns and flowers in delicate pieces of silk. These items are stunning but were certainly not made for practical purposes and were a decorative feature in the home.  

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.