Biting buttercup (A) – placemat – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)
- Motif: Biting buttercup with several slender stems, small yellow flowers and finely divided leaves. The root of the plant is visible at the base so the entire plant appears as a botanical study.
- Size: 30 × 41 cm
- Thread: Danish Flower Thread
- Fabric: Haandarbejdets Fremme (HF) – Linen 12B
- Designer: Gerda Bengtsson
Biting buttercup (A) – placemat – Gerda Bengtsson (GB)
This placemat is decorated with an elegant embroidery of biting buttercup, where the entire plant is depicted from root to flower. The motif is positioned along the left side of the placemat, creating a light botanical expression, while the wider surface on the right provides calmness to the table setting.
At the base of the motif the plant’s roots spread out in delicate branches in warm earth tones. From here several slender stems rise upward through the design. The stems are embroidered in green shades and form a light and natural structure where leaves and flowers appear at different heights along the plant.
The leaves show the characteristic deeply cut form of the buttercup. They spread from the stems in several levels, creating small green star-like shapes around the plant. The many fine leaves add fullness to the motif while emphasising the long and slender stems.
At the top of the stems sit the small yellow flowers. The round flower heads are embroidered in clear yellow tones that stand out against the light linen background. Some blossoms are open while others appear as small buds, giving the motif natural variation and suggesting the life cycle of the plant.
The embroidery is worked in cross stitch with Danish Flower Thread on linen. The stitches highlight the fine details in the leaves, stems and flowers and give the motif a clear structure. A green border frames the placemat and brings the design together with a calm and classic finish.
The result is a refined botanical embroidery where the biting buttercup appears both simple and detailed – a design that adds a touch of nature and Danish embroidery tradition to the table setting.
About Haandarbejdets Fremme
Haandarbejdets Fremme has worked since 1928 to preserve and develop Danish embroidery. The organisation is particularly known for its nature and floral motifs, where the forms and colours of plants are rendered with great precision.
Gerda Bengtsson is one of the most important designers in the history of Haandarbejdets Fremme. Her embroideries are based on careful observation of plants from the Danish landscape and are characterised by clear forms, harmonious colours and a timeless expression.
