Mid-1800s, Napoleon III (c.1850-70) or mid-Victorian era fine silk embroidery, likely a young girl's 'sampler', perfecting her stitches. Girls were taught to sew, elegant stitchery, considered an acceptable art for women. Quite often themes were devotional, as you see in this one. Painted faces, a drawing on silk, then worked in millions of stitches of fine dyed silks. This one is beautifully preserved, little to no fading, would have been framed at the time it was completed, so one for which the young seamstress would have been well-praised. A lovely gilded wood period frame and the old glass still protect it perfectly. The dove and flowers, garlands and ornate framework make it an extra special one. It is not signed, unless beyond the mat. I did not take it apart to search, not to photograph the backside, which tells us if the silk has faded. The colors in this one are rich and vibrant, so if faded at all, it isn't much. Note the shading of blues. That means it wasn't hung with much sun exposure at all, which also shows in the condition.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. I see a very slight visible age to the old silk, similarly to the old mat and frame, but no tears, no loss of any consideration when one judges it aside its contemporaries, most of which have fared less well. A fine devotional, or just a beautiful example of women's art. Full measurements noted on the photos. It is somewhere between 150 to 170 years old, frame shows a bit of that age, authentic and charming. Found in France.
