This charming old beadwork and needlepoint panel is large and has been backed to hang as art, or to use as a table-topper, but it would be wonderful made up as focal top of a luxurious down-filled and lushly fringed decorator throw or sofa table. Variable black to white mid-1800s glass beads in large leafy motif, the panel is 17" x 15" as you see it, but remember there will also be a selvedge or outer portion folded under if you remove the black backing. The wool yarns in needlepoint stitch filling in the back show 2 colors. It's hard to know if that was planned, or simply completed with yarns available and leftover, or that the dye lots initially looked the same color but one proved more sustained and one faded. Once you unpick from behind, you'll have a better view of the original colors. When I bought this one ages ago in England, I planned to see what a soak in dye might do to even the colors.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, noted are the color variations of the Victorian era wool needlepoint yarns of the background. The fauna/leaves are entirely done in colored glass beads, so the panel is rather heavy. Very little, if any, disruption to the wool stitches and the beadwork seems complete to my eye. Lots of photos, so be sure to check them all. Clean and odor-free, ready to make up or to use as tabletop or wall hanging (would only need hanging loops added.
