Accession Number

983.466

Description

A three-panel floor screen, each panel featuring a large insert of multi-coloured crewel work behind clear glass. The scenes depicted include, from left to right: a tree in front of a castle tower; a tree; a tree in front of a tall ship. Each piece of crewelwork is dated and signed "A M Pooley".

Narrative

This screen was embroidered by Alice Marion Pooley of Esquimalt, B.C. in 1929 and 1930. Miss Pooley was friends with many members of the Dunsmuir family.

Her grandfather, Hon. Charles Edward Pooley (1845-1912) was the Member for Esquimalt in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1882 to 1906. Between 1887 and 1889, he was the Speaker. He acted at various times as Solicitor for Robert Dunsmuir, Joan Olive Dunsmuir, James Dunsmuir, and Alexander Dunsmuir. In the Hopper vs. Dunsmuir Will case, he testified that he understood he was the solicitor of the Company appointed by Robert Dunsmuir and that he was the secretary of the E & N Railroad representing "all interests".¹

1. British Columbia Archives GR-2731 Hopper vs. Dunsmuir case file 12/92 Transcript from Victoria (Hon. Justice Drake) Victoria, December 3, 1903.
 

History of Use

This screen was embroidered by Miss Alice Pooley of Victoria, B.C. Its history of use is unknown, but is presumed to have been used in her Esquimalt home and perhaps elsewhere in the Victoria area before being acquired by The Castle Society. 

Date

1929 – 1930

Material

Fabric, wool; Wood, oak; Glass

Technique

Dyed; Embroidered; Milled; Glazed

Country of Origin

Canada