Textiles

Antique Needlework Table Mat or Rug, Circa 1820
  • I’ve never seen anything quite like this 19th century embroidered table mat or rug. It is fully covered in needlework of silk threads over a linen ground. This wonderful piece reminds me of the Highlights children’s magazines that I used to look at while I waited for a doctor’s appointment. There was (and may still be) a page where you had to find the hidden objects in a drawn picture. The more you look at this needlework, the more objects (or treasures) you find hidden in the artist’s work. There are butterflies in each corner, two big cats, snakes and what appear to be two people sitting back to back in the middle of the two long edges. Perhaps the young schoolgirl artist envisioned her work as some type of Garden of Eden scene. The condition is really quite good although please note that there are some threadbare areas—mostly the corners where purple and blue thread is used. It still displays very well and the colors are vibrant. The reverse is even brighter and finished off very wel 16 1/2" x 11". This is a really great piece of folk or schoolgirl art and what I consider a great find!

    Circa 1820.

    (#5417)     Sold