Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (81)

This Sisters' bonnet is black bonnet was probably for special occasions. Over the black silk is a fine black mesh even over the neck ruffle. The bonnet is lined with purple silk that was meant not to show as it is inside the bonnet and the underside of the neck ruffle. It does have some wear around the front edge of the bonnet where the material has pulled away a bit. The netting has some area on the neck ruffle that are rough but in general is displays well...

Fabulous homespun black wool blanket with the best bittersweet color stripes at both ends. It is very soft and in very good condition but not mint. It has a later hand sewn edge on one end that is coming loose in a couple of places and there are a few small thin areas. It is 68" by 60" and it makes quite a statement. It is not as early as the center seam blankets but it makes up for it in looks.

This doll was bought in the mid west and had to have been made by an older child or a mother doing the best she could with what she had. She is firmly straw stuffed. Her face is stitched with heavy thread. Her mouth is stitched with the use of many "xxx"s and it looks great. Her nose is pinched raised with overcasting thread. Her eyes are framed with red stitches and her eyes and eyebrows are brown thread. Her red bonnet is sewn on as are her clothes...

How often do you see a flame stitch mat? This one still has vibrant color. The foundation is a loomed homespun. It has a spider web fringe that is so fine and beautiful. I have taken pictures of the 3 areas of with condition problems. There are two small holes and one larger one. The fringe also is sparse in many areas around the mat. That said this is a rare form of flame stitch and is paper thin and very finely woven. It is mid 1700's and is 6" by 11".

This is quite the scrap book. The back and front are cloth covered in blue and white calico. The pages are also cloth with stitching around all the edges. The trade and advertising cards are glued down on both sides of the fabric. The pages are bound together by three holes and each page and tied with a yellow ribbon. There are 11 pages, 22 sides, and one 1/2 page that is original and not cut but just a 1/2 page with cards on both sides...

A very early pair of child's shoes hand sewn and pegged and nailed. The shoes are fragile but one is much better than the other. They are early enough that the soles are identical with no difference in right and left shoe. They are 6" long and 3 1/2" tall. circa 1830. These early shoes are hard to find and look wonderful with a textile collection.

Five early paper dolls dressed in crepe paper dresses. When I bought them I was told they were made to hang on the Christmas tree and it is true some of the have thread hangers on the back. They are very nice and unusual. They range in size from 7 1/2" to about 10" and date to the 1880's.

Hand made Shaker table mat with multi colored field and a wide brown border. The mats were the product of left over scraps from the sewing rooms in Shaker communities. This mat is 13" by 15" and is in excellent condition. C. 1900

This tiny handsewn patch work quilt has just on square that has a little hole. One of the long sides the edge has a bit out of it, maybe it caught on something. The sewing is somewhat unskilled and appears to have been a labor of love rather than perfection. It has a lot of charm and nice enough to be uses on a doll bed or hung on a wall. The fabric backing the quilt is very fragile and fraying but it is nice that it doesn't affect the front...

These little handmade Civil War era dolls are some of my favorite. This one has on a heavy satin dress with a brown egg wash chintz cotton petticoat. she has a net bonnet adorned with a white ribbon over real hair. She is wearing the tiniest metal eye glasses I have ever seen. She has little rolled arms and a stump body that never had legs. Her dress is melting a bit above her waist and there is a crack in the nut shell but an old one and it is hard to see because she is so small...

1830-40 velvet reticule theorem purse In nice condition with some age darkening. It is all hand sewn, lined with fine homespun linen. No rips or tears but there is loss of most of the ribbon trim around the outside edges. It is 8 1/2" top to bottom and 8" across at the widest point.

A small sweet excellent condition antique egg basket. It has nice patina and is circa 1870-80. It would hold about 5 or 6 eggs and a lot of strawberry emeries.

This is what I call a down home or servicable antique pot holder. It looks like a odd apple with a tummy sash. It is sewn nicely but with a childish feeling to it. I am sure it was used but care was taken with it. The loop at the top looks original. It is a very nice naive pot holder from the 1840's. It is 4" by 5". I love seeing these hung.

This work towel is made for use but is also very beautiful. I think it is linen one way and cotton the other way. (warp and weft). It has a feel and sheen of linen but also has the flat look of cotton. It is in very good condition, has the original loop for hanging it up, and is hemmed on both sides of the towel. The initials are sewn with a brown floss and I think the initials are MLW. The width is 15 ", length 42". It is supple yet sturdy and had a wonderful rustic country look...

1880 blue checked bonnet all hand sewn with really nice details. I have taken some pictures I hope you can see the hand stitching on the brim with six rows with cord inside so it gives the brim some stiffness. The bonnet is a lovely blue. There are a few spots around the bottom of the neck fringe. It is 14" top to bottom and 8" front to back of the bonnet. It is a very nice early work of art. C.1880

Antique flannel dog filled with grain or sawdust that makes him feel like a bean bag and allows him to stand nicely. He has big bead eyes and replaced floppy ears. The original ears must have been further back where you see a white patch. That patch is white flannel that hasn't gotten dirty. He has a couple of mends but is old and nice and has a bit of a worried look...

This is a well washed and loved red calico doll quilt. It is mostly treadle machine stitched with some hand sewing. The backing is a brown and cream calico print with a brown calico boarder on both front and back. It is very soft, faded a couple of tiny holes that gives it that great old worn look. This is my kind of quilt, old and worn and I realize it is not for everyone. It is 16" square and is from the 1890's with a Pennsylvania verbal history. (I love it.)

A very nice antique Punch as is Punch and Judy a famous puppet show in England. He has a leather face with painted features.(It could be oil cloth or painted fabric but it looks like leather to me.) His outfit is original and is weak and shredding in places. His face is all good other than the tip of his nose has a small break. He has attached arms and legs and is quite floppy in a nice way. He has an injured hand that someone dealt with by putting a sock over it and it seems to be working well....