Cadaver Tomb Pillow
Jan. 2021
Inspirations
Etruscan and Roman tombs in style of a bed
After quilting a ribcage and loving the effect, I knew I wanted to next quilt a full skeleton, and decided to emulate a cadaver tomb.
Cadaver tombs were a trend of tomb decoration popular in the Late Medieval period, serving as a form of memento mori for visitors to the tomb (often in a church), reminding them of their own mortality by showing them the truth of decomposition as a contrast to the serene tomb statues that depict the subject as merely sleeping. Often these “sleeping” tombs have breathtaking sculpting of the folds of fabric that have always inspired me, and so thought that I could combine these styles to create a bed of decomposition for the skeleton.
Western European Cadaver Tombs
Process
This pillow combines many techniques: the skeleton itself combines cording and stuffing depending on the quilted area, the pillow behind him is gathered and stuffed, the black base is wrinkle pleated, and the entire piece is embellished with embroidery to fill areas or to add bugs, using satin stitch, french knots, couching, and turkey work. After learning so many different techniques, I wanted to challenge myself to create a complicated design and execute it by combining methods, and I believe that doing so is what makes the piece succesful.
Cording fine areas
Beginning to stuff
Skeleton base
Mini pillow
Wrinkle pleated base
Mini pillow gathered, attached to head
Black base slit and stitched to skeleton
All pieces together and laid flat
First pass of embroidery, later added more bugs and dimension