Lion and Snake Embroidery

[jordand]

Hello I have this piece of art that appears to be some kind of embroidery. All I know is that it has been passed down for a few generations so it is quite old (over 100 years). There is no name or signature anywhere (although I have not taken it out of the frame). I was just hoping that I could possibly get any sort of insight to this piece, as I know nothing about it or even where to start looking.

Thank you!

[Jlsherf]

I just had to tell you that this is beautiful!  Wish I could he!lp you but someone will I'm sure.  I love the subject matter as well.

[rink28]

I think I know what this is. This is an embroidered picture of Delacroix "lion and snake" picture. If you go on Google and type in Delacroix "lion and snake" on Google images you will get very similar images like yours. Although the ones on Google are paintings yours is an embroidered picture. Yours looks to be don't at a later time period maybe around early 1900s for a decoration piece for homes. Since its not signed that's another indication it was done by someone else who just copied Delacroixs work

[rink28]

https://www.google.com/search?site=webhp&tbm=isch&source=hp&ei=mwSKVpW7J4GEjwOb5ZfoCQ&q=delacroix+lion+and+snake&oq=delacroi&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.41j0l4.1227.3202.0.5138.9.9.0.1.1.0.257.1825.0j5j4.9.0....0...1c.1.64.mobile-gws-hp..0.9.1694.3.zvQG1k6573w#imgrc=iGD5QB_coTvOxM%3A. Here is a link of a picture very similar to yours!

[mart]

When was it framed ?? The frame is a modern one !!

[jordand]

Here is the back, and I know my grandparents have had it and not reframed it for at least 70 years, however it looks like the frame was painted gold.

[mart]

While it may sound odd to some that would only be mid century or so !! That would still be considered modern !! Your first post indicated it was much older !!  There is really no way to know about the tapestry without its being signed !! Have you asked your family about it ?? That would be the best way to know its history !!  Since these are hand made and not mass produced,, searching the internet is almost useless !!

[jordand]

While it may sound odd to some that would only be mid century or so !! That would still be considered modern !! Your first post indicated it was much older !!  There is really no way to know about the tapestry without its being signed !! Have you asked your family about it ?? That would be the best way to know its history !!  Since these are hand made and not mass produced,, searching the internet is almost useless !!

I was saying I know the frame is at least 70 years old. But the actual picture must be over 100 because it was my great grandma's mothers , and my great grandma just passed 3 years ago at age 102, so my best guess would be upwards of 100 years old. My grandparents have also passed so I really only know as much as my mother does, and she just said it was her great grandma's at one point in time. Do you think there would be any other spots a signature could have been placed besides the picture itself?

[rink28]

Pretty much what mart said. The frame is modern not that old. The actual picture maybe old but with out a signature it will be impossible to find any information. Try looking on the back of the frame and closely on the front. If you still can't find any signatures it's most likely a decoration for homes back then.

[jordand]

I have some new pictures after taking the picture right out of the frame. It looks like it has been repapered at least 3 times, I was lucky to find some of the newspaper that wasn't exposed , and came up with a date of 1938, so I now know it is at least that old lol. But that could just be a paper from when it was repapered at a later date. You can also see in the one picture the color difference of the material that has been exposed and the material hidden under the frame. The exposed is much darker.

[mart]

If it is mounted on a board of some kind you might check there !! But it would have to be taken out of the frame !! That would be the only place I could think of !! But even back to the turn of the century things like this were mounted and framed just as artwork for the home !!

[KC]

You have a very beautiful piece there!

Have you been able to see the back of the actual embroidery?  The edges?

Was wondering if the edges are "finished" or if they are raw/cut like it came from a larger piece?  If finished it would depend on how it was done to help determine age.

Nice family heirloom to continue passing along!

[mart]

Look at post #5 KC !!  You can see the back but not the border !! The way this was done and the apparent thickness, makes me think this was part of a rug or throw of some type !!  Likely would have had a canvas backing that has been removed !!

[KC]

Reminds me of one my friend had inherited (she has now moved out of state) and hers was originally a HUGE tapestry/rug and over the years was condensed to an appx 12' x 6' that she had framed in plexiglass.  The handiwork was A M A Z I N G and was evident it was done by hand.

I can't tell by these pictures if it is handiwork or machine. 

[talesofthesevenseas]

Did your family live in the USA, UK or elsewhere? I would start by finding a textile museum in that area which specializes in textiles or has a textiles curator. Find out what their policy is on inquiries and go from there.