comprised of four joined panels, embroidered with polychrome silks, in emerald green, crimson red, faded aubergine (now pale pink), on a linen ground, with geometric design including double facing design of 'Queen pattern’ with a double eagle, peacock central support strip of diamond and ‘v’-shaped design, each panel applied with narrow ribbon along the vertical joins; with an old hand written ink collection label to corner of underside 'no. 4 C. Salvago'

Colours a bit yellow in the image of the whole panel (and the full page detail) in the printed catalogue, and in reality the appearance is crisp and defined with attractive lighter colours and natural coloured ground. There has been some folding across the width of the panel. These folds are stitched in place on the reverse. The top has been folded over to the depth of approx. 10cm., with small hoops attached. This textile panel is in exceptional condition, slightly irregular shape, striking colour combination and design including bird motifs, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In the traditional Cycladic home, the bed, which was usually in an alcove or on a raised mezzanine, was the focus for the household's principal textiles, furnished with elaborately embroidered curtains to screen the bed, such as the example seen here, cushion and bolster covers. 

For a virtually identical fragment of embroidery from a bed curtain, Cyclades, perhaps Pholegandros, seventeenth century, (43 by 30cm), with the ‘Queen pattern’ with a double eagle, peacock central strip of diamond and ‘v’-shaped design, in red, green and aubergine (faded in the present panel), and two examples of single widths of a bed curtains, with similar horizontal strip across the bottom, of the same date and location, see Wace 1935, Nos.21-23, pp.51-52, Pl. XXVIII, XXIX & XXX.

For a comparable pair of bed curtains, eighteenth century, (223 by 52.7cm), are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Inv.no. 64.278.1.2), with triangular designs, similar to the narrow border designs of the present panel, attributed originally as Patmos embroidery and now considered to be representative of Cycladic manufacture.