Frank Sherman Benson Fund

Frank Sherman Benson Fund

Over-dress in two pieces joined by black embroidery. Black, plain weave with wide bands at ends, in dark red, white, and black, with three rows of animal motifs. Two thinner multi-coloured bands of stripes are between. Half of outer border is yellow with white, pink and black dots, other half is orange with white, black and dark red dots.

Loom (part a-f) with an unfinished woven wool textile consisting of a two striped centre of brown and dark brown bordered with multiply stripes and patterns. Thin pink, black and red stripes border a line of red and blue lozenge pattern with yellow and orange detailing. A thick red stripe borders the textiles sides. The textile is attached to two large, cylindrical shaped wooden sticks; one at each end. Intertwine in the multi-coloured warp are six wooden tools: two heddle rods; three flat, rectangular battens with triangular, pointed ends (parts c,d,e) and a long cylindrical shed roll (part b). In a similar pattern to the weaving is a small, circular strap (part f).

Spindle consisting of a wooden shaft that tapers at each end with a disc shaped whorl positioned near one end. On the spindle is wrapped, spun brown wool that attaches to a ball of unspun wool.

Wide centre band of stripes in red, twisted black and white on outside, two strips of alternating pink and yellow, and white and black squares with patterns, twisted black and white stripes, and orange centre stripe with alternating coloured zigzag embroidery, in red, brown, pink, purple, black and yellow. At each selvedge are bands of stripes, alternating between red, twisted black, red and white, pink and orange wavy lines with purple and red circles, and a wide pink stripe at edge.

Headdress formed by a woven band with a zigzag pattern in bright red, dark red, black, off-white and yellow with ribbons attached (one in white with red embroidery and the rest yellow or pink) at one end. The other end has a braided, joined fringe.

Square, woven wool bag with a thin twine strap. The bag has a central red green and yellow geometric design of circles, diamonds and lines. Bordering each side are red, purple, pink, yellow and green stripes all of the same width with circular and line decorative patterns. There is a slit opening and loose fabric on the bottom. Both sides are identical.

Wool? belt, rectangular in shape with a repeated pattern of alternating red and white flowers on a white and dark red and red striped ground. One end section is decorated with only red and white stripes. The edges of the belt are bordered with alternating lines of yellow and green. Red and white twine tie at each end.