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Crewel embroidery

Europe tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: Under $500 (entry level & living craft)

Crewel embroidery, or crewelwork, is a type of surface embroidery worked in wool. A wide variety of different embroidery stitches are used to follow a design outline applied to the fabric. The technique became popular in the 17th century. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

American crewel valance
American crewel valance
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Crewel curtain c 1696 England
Crewel curtain c 1696 England
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
John Oster, Crewel Embroidery, 1935-1942, NGA 27079
John Oster, Crewel Embroidery, 1935-1942, NGA 27079
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Mary Berner, Crewel Embroidery, c. 1936, NGA 15256
Mary Berner, Crewel Embroidery, c. 1936, NGA 15256
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Helen D. Bashian, Crewel Embroidery, 1935-1942, NGA 27116
Helen D. Bashian, Crewel Embroidery, 1935-1942, NGA 27116
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.