Very early 1800s for this one, a fine petitpoint on linen canvas that depicts the most charming pair of little boys, dressed up and playing soldier and marching drummer. One has a military hat and there's a rifle leaning on the fence. The one boy is placing a fake mustache on his drummer friend. So sweet the image, and such a darling composition, fine palette of colors. There is, in addition, a very special frame on this one. This carved ruffle-filet frame is probably Dutch in origin and would date late 1700s to as late as 1820. It alone is spectacular! The combination of this original needlework art and its tortoise shell frame make it a personal favorite for me. I'm hoping to hang onto this one a while, but you're sure to buy it from under me, aren't you. No finer! Demure, it's one you'll want to hang near a lamp and table so it can get some spotlight - let it shine a bit. So glorious in all ways!
Very good to excellent for age and type. The old linen canvas has been left unworked except for the vignette of the scene, so you see the warp, itself. In very good shape, I find only one tiny hole in it and that's up there near top of the boy's tall hat, and I've marked it with a red 'x' so you'll be sure to see it. Small, it doesn't draw the eye at all except in our very enlarged photos. The stitches are small - something between grospoint and petitpoint, and is the fine work of it's day (late 1700s to early 1800s). Women's art! Frame has slight imperfections, but overall in very good condition - look at it in our images. Framed with glazing, the glass is also the old original as far as I can tell. An old auction house stamp on back is probably c.1880, simply puts a name to the piece. Just needs a hanging wire to be ready for the wall, or perfect to shelf-display now just as it is. Are you in love with it, too?
