Author Topic: Victorian Needlework New Photos!  (Read 3992 times)

KC

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11660
  • Karma: +93/-0
  • Forever Blessed!
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian Needlework New Photos!
« Reply #15 on: August 09, 2017, 12:39:03 pm »
Is your thread silk? embroidery floss (glossy cotton)? or wool?  That helps date a piece!  Just from what I see...I can't tell if it is floss or silk...but leaning towards floss.

Okay...my opinion...you have a piece that is machine stitched - with possibly some hand stitching added.  That being said...I believe it was possibly from very late 1800's to early 1900's in origin because later machine stitching they learned to save the colored thread and the back feeding piece was white thread.  Embroidery machines were made as early as 1828!

Hand stitchers typically didn't use that much thread on the back side due to cost (unless it was a piece made to be viewed from both sides as in a fireplace - and by-the-way with as much material as you have on yours it could have been for a fireplace screen or bedding!)  Look at the prices for some of these fireplace screens! https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/home-accents/screens-room-dividers/english-rosewood-needlepoint-fire-screen-circa-1840/id-f_1056526/?utm_content=test&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8pDz_NLK1QIVFCOBCh2PzgQjEAQYAiABEgKSY_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Take a read of these two articles and look at your pieces closely.  Tell me what you think after you read then examine your piece.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2015/02/hand-embroidery-vs-machine-embroidery-difference.html




« Last Edit: August 09, 2017, 12:58:05 pm by KC »
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

ghopper1924

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3316
  • Karma: +136/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian Needlework New Photos!
« Reply #16 on: August 09, 2017, 01:13:49 pm »
OK, thanks for the thoughtful comments.

Excellent articles, and even better prices on those fireplace screens! :)

I don't really know the difference between embroidery floss and silk, but this seems a bit less "shiny" than silk, while being a bit brighter than most embroidery that you see from back then.

KC, your evaluation of machine made with a bit of handwork thrown in and the reasons why makes sense.

In the meantime, I've been doing research on frames. This frame, although less elaborated than some, still features significant (almost shadow box) depth, walnut burl panels, gilt, and ebonized sections. From what I can tell there's no reason to think that this frame couldn't date to 1880-1900 or so, as these features are commonly found in pier mirrors and other such furniture of the time. Perhaps a somewhat "plain" frame was desired to better show off the crewel work within.

This piece is pretty large, and so is the frame. It's interesting to think that the piece may have been intended to be a fireplace screen.

So now the kicker: Does $150 replacement value sound realistic? Higher? Lower?



"I collect antiques because they're beautiful."

-Broderick Crawford

KC

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11660
  • Karma: +93/-0
  • Forever Blessed!
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian Needlework New Photos!
« Reply #17 on: August 09, 2017, 01:15:20 pm »
I might add that the Jacobean Tree of Life is done beautifully and if you search "embroidery tree of life" or "embroidery Jacobean Tree of Life" you will see several varieties - but not as centered and elegantly done as yours.  You will note that if you select to view "images" on these that MAJORITY are collected on Pinterest!

PEOPLE LOVE THIS STYLE AND STILL PRIZE IT! 

If it was me and I wanted to have an insurance value I would easily put it at $200 - $300 due to the size, condition, etc.

The size still makes me think of fire screen

Here's one that sold ebay from TEXAS  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Oak-Summer-Fireplace-screen-Crewel-Embroidery-Jacobean-Lk-Elsa-Willians-/253070387924?hash=item3aec2baad4:g:BSEAAOSwt7pXNooX
« Last Edit: August 09, 2017, 01:21:24 pm by KC »
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian Needlework New Photos!
« Reply #18 on: August 09, 2017, 09:02:12 pm »
Looks like typical embroidery floss to me !!

ghopper1924

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3316
  • Karma: +136/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian Needlework New Photos!
« Reply #19 on: August 10, 2017, 06:55:54 am »
Thanks....good stuff!!
"I collect antiques because they're beautiful."

-Broderick Crawford

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian Needlework New Photos!
« Reply #20 on: August 11, 2017, 08:12:51 pm »
Embroidery floss will outlive everyone !!