This example would likely have been the center of a jewelry casket,

 as pictured below from the collection at the V&A, London.

"The padded central panel lifts open to show a compartment for jewellery, lined with pink taffeta. 

The quality of glass beads and other material,

and the involvement of a cabinet-maker in making the beadwork up into such a box,

would mean that it could only be made within a household which could afford such outlay. 

Being such an intricate and relatively precious thing, the case's owner....

 would have handled it very gently, thus it remains in good condition today."

(V&A, British Galleries, Room 56d, Case 6)

Housed in a custom simulated tortoiseshell & giltwood shadowbox frame beneath Museum Plexiglas

Framed Size - 11" High x 14.25" Wide

During the mid-17th century, beadwork was introduced into British embroidered pictures,

either as an enhancement to the silk embroidery, or standing on its own -

Although beadwork was revived in England during the 19th century,

the skill is now becoming a "lost art".

An additional beauty of antique beading is it ability to retain its rich colors,

 so that the beading appears today as when first made -

whilst the surrounding silk may have experienced fading and losses.