This is an early and profusely embroidered English silk apron from the early 18th c. The gathers from the waistband and ties were removed by a previous owner so that it lies flat; this is probably why the silk has not shattered at all over its 300 years which it tends to do when gathers become folds which eventually shatter at the fold when stored. It also makes this beautiful piece ready to frame if the buyer so chooses. The needlework covers much of the apron with beautiful flowers, leaves, and vines which are worked using metallic and silk threads. The color palette is muted shades of blue, rose, yellow, green, and cream. The bottom edge is swagged, each of which is scalloped, embroidered in a striped pattern, and trimmed with thin early cording. This beautiful apron is lined in early and original hand-woven linen which is so fine that the outline of the embroidery can be seen through it (see photo). It is approximately 21 ¾” long (at its longest point) and 38 ½” wide along the top edge and 39 ½” along the bottom scalloped edge. There is a seam in the middle of the apron – pieced fabric is common in early clothing.  Condition: There is a small area which has some straining (but not separation) of the fibers of the silk ground  (see photo with the measuring tape). The cording along the top was loosely stitched to the silk ground and is not original to the apron; I believe, however, that it is early cording, so I left it on. There is an area where the lining has come away from the silk (see photo). There are scattered small stains, the largest of which looks to be a water stain at the top left of the apron; these are shown in the photos.