A fabulous micro-petitpoint embroidery tapestry in the tiniest stitches we've ever seen, beautifully accomplished and preserved in excellent condition, this c.1810-40 depiction of Victoria, who later became Britain's longest reigning Queen. Victoria. Here we see her as a pre-teen or young teen along with her pet parrot and her King James Spaniel, enjoying a moment in a lush English garden. Not only is the subject spectacular, but the needlework and detail are truly incredible. Those stitches are about 1mm. Imagine the time it took someone to do this well-treasured needlework artistry. The panel is nicely mounted, set off by the eglomise or back-painted glass matting, typical of the way needlework and silkwork arts were framed in late 1700s to earliest 1800s. The outer frame is the old original and is wood with a light gesso ornamentation, a tiny bit of which has crumbled away in the bottom right corner, visible in our photos.
Still, not much of a flaw to report on this superb collection piece. And the theme, sitter and her dog and parrot make it a museum-worthy item, for sure. Isn't it just the best! Very good to excellent, I see no fading nor any damage at all in the amazing needlework. We scanned it with a ruler so you could see how truly tiny those stitches are, each done one at a time and in a full spectrum of colors, making it quite a masterpiece of micro-petitpoint. It would have taken a tremendous amount of time and patience to have created this one. Graceful and elegant at once, and important in that it is Princess Victoria, ahead of her 1837 coronation, remember. Frame has the only flaw to note and that is a tiny bit of crumble of the gesso ornamentation to bottom right, visible in our images. This would not be difficult to restore, or just to improve, but we want you to see it as it is. Some like a little restoration, and many serious collectors do not, so we leave it to your wishes.
