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. The tiniest stitches ever! This is a Georgian era (c.1800-1830) micro needlepoint embroidery sampler, likely the work of a relatively young girl, young woman. The needle arts having been the only "art" truly open to girls, they were all taught in any society home, to embroider and work with their hands, these silk and wool panels. This one is not suitable for use as a pillow top - don't even think of it. This one must be framed and protected under glass to continue its fine preservation. I purchased this one in England many years ago. It's been stored in archival tissue, flat and is not brittle, but it does need to be framed for display. The piece will go to rectangle once stretched for framing and shows slightly out of rectangle as many needlepoint type embroidery panels do. I've taken one photo with a ruler so you can see how very tiny these stitches are. The color is not much faded, as you can see comparing with the backside photos. The panel is (stitched area) 23.25" x 19", and there is some of the linen canvas extending beyond that measurement. 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!
Very good to excellent with any consideration to the age of this one. There really are not lost stitches, no moth or bug damage and no holes nor tears in the worked canvas. You see border linen canvas has tatters, having been removed from a stretcher at some point, removed from its original frame and cover glass. One will want to preserve it under glass and in a frame going forward. The panel is wonderful, but not suitable to be made into a pillow top. Measurements noted above and on the photos. Back shown so you can see the original colors, unfaded. The panel is fabulous! That it includes the spaniel is all the more fun. Will be gently rolled, protected by archival tissue, and mailed in a tube, not folded for a box.
