A charming early Victorian to Georgian pastorale view of 2 young girls enjoying themselves in an outdoor scene, each tiny stitch done one at a time in wool and silk yarns. Large, the needlepoint canvas shows 27.25" x 23.25" in the aperture, and frame sizes up a bit to a very impressive 29.75" x 25.75" and 1" depth. The cover glass was removed for safe shipment from Europe, and we're going to leave it without glass and let our buyer decide whether to have another one cut for this old beauty. They display nicely with or without, but they don't ship well with the glass intact. This big panel was likely a sampler done by a girl about the age of the ones you see. Stitchery, needlework, embroidery of various styles and lacework were things a young girl would have been taught, usually in lieu of schooling back in this era. The needle arts were, truly, women's arts, and this one shows us the talented work of a girl far younger than you'd imagine. While she has not signed it, we'd bet this was done by a girl no more than 8-12 years in age. The panel is very nicely framed. You might wish to open it up and take the measure for a glass panel to protect it for another few centuries, heirloom it will become. I love this one!
Very good condition for age and type. I see very slight color variation on the old linen canvas that is not worked in stitches, but not much and not quite what we'd refer to as an stain. More just a little darkening of age. There is one tiny hole, you'll see it in our images up in the 9-10 o'clock angle out from center, and it is really just one string/warp. The stitching is beautifully crafted, even, smaller than grospoint, larger than petitpoint. Wool and silk yarns used, they have faded some over time but not deteriorated. A wonderful old frame on this one, a backing added at some later time and it's strong masonite to support the panel. Look it over well. What a beauty for a bedroom, over the mantel, just about anywhere in your home (or one of mine). No tears, no large holes or damage - just the tiny one flaw as noted. A beautiful old walnut frame - or is it rosewood? A filet of gold mats the needlework beautifully. Ready to hang. Frame in very good condition, too.
