Textile Arts and Tolkien

[Bêthberry]

I was reading about the Venice Biennale this year and the installation artist Kim Sooja, who also goes by the name kimsooja. She works with cloth and fabric as witness to human life and death. I'm mulling over some possible ideas as they relate to Tokien's use of coverings, clothes and banners but I thought I would share a review of her work. Who knows--something might stimulate others as well.

Being and Sewing

[Angry Hill Troll]

Good topic, Estelyn!

Another example of needlework, is Míriel, the mother of Fëanor:

...her hands were more skilled to make things fine and delicate than any other hands even among the Noldor. By her the craft of needles was devised; and if but one fragment of the broderies of Míriel were seen in Middle-earth it would be held dearer than a king’s realm; for the richness of her devices and the fire of their colours were as manifold and as bright as the wealth of leaf and flower and wing in the fields of Yavanna.

The quote above is from HoME X; a shorter and less descriptive version appears in the published Silmarillion. I particularly like the line that one fragment of tapestry would be worth more than a kingdom (!) -- quite a stunning comparison.

It seems (in my opinion) that Fëanor inherited his skill and creativity from his mother, for Finwë is not described as having the level of creative genius as Míriel or Fëanor, nor are any of the children of Finwë and Indis.

One version of the story of Finwë and Míriel, has Míriel reembodied after Finwë’s death, not to return to live among the Noldor, but to work with Vairë, “...to record in web and broidery all the histories of the Kin of Finwë and the deeds of the Noldor.”

Interestingly, Míriel resembled her son in other ways, too.

Then Vairë said to Mandos: ‘The spirit of Míriel hath dwelt with me, and I know it. It is small, but it is strong and obdurate: one of those who having said this I will do make their words a law irrevocable unto themselves.

This sounds like a certain Oath made by someone we know!