This is from my private stash. I'm disbursing panels I just am never going to get to make up in to those lush opulent down-filled throw pillows I love. YOU get to do it, instead. This large oval panel would have been in a frame. It also would have been needlework possibly created by a fairly young girl. The needle arts were one of the few skills an aristocracy-born girl was taught in the era. Manners, music, reading (perhaps) and skills that would enable her to marry well and manage a house as wife to someone titled. One tiny stitch at a time, much of her idle time would be spent creating things that would elevate her home. You are buying one oval panel, as shown, in very good condition. The panel is large at 18.5" tall and 14" wide, and as you see it, there is a cording sewn around the edge (folded back in backside, plenty to stitch to a lush velvet or silk panel and then work up as front to a lavishly fringed pillow. I have made up 2 from this era, quite similar to this one and have shown them in that final group image so you can see how mine turned out. I've loved them for decades. Meant to add this one to the group but here it remains for you to do it or have it done. I've placed a ruler that registers both inches and millimeters so you can see how incredibly tiny these stitches are. Finer than petit-point. And I've only used needlepoint in title because it is basically that type of embroidery stitch, needlework.
Very good to excellent for age and type. The linen canvas is strong. There are really very few flaws, quite remarkable considering the age. There is an area of slight darkening that spans top of face of the seated woman and also to the face of the other one. It shows far more in the photos than it does in person. The bottom of the oval is a separately worked piece, added by stitching 2 separate canvas together as you can see from the back. And on that section is an angel. I am unsure what it represents. The figures are wonderful! The yarns used are all fine, hand dyed, palette range is fabulous and still vibrant. I have shown the backside so you can see the work, original unfaded colors, not so much different than the front side. If there are stitches missing, I have been bedazzled enough not to notice. You please look closely at the photos just in case. It has no visible moth or insect damage or loss. Measurements also appear on the photos. Lies very flat, will be lightly rolled with archival tissue for shipment. Will be listing a large private collection (my own) of c.1600 = c.1850 tapestry panels. Be sure to mark our shop and come back!
