This embroidered cover probably served to decorate a small table, cabinet or other piece of furniture. The repeating border design of deep scallops is also seen on embroidered clothing and patterns for white linen lace, as well as furnishing textiles like this cover. The embroidery is executed in two colors of metal-wrapped thread: silver and gold (which was made of gilded silver), and the motifs include flowers common to English gardens of the period: irises, lilies, pansies and pomegranate fruits flanked by peacocks, with a caterpillar appearing on every third repeat of the design.