Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (81)

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".

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 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.

Antique true linen homespun table mat in a deep indigo blue and a natural unbleached white. The mat is 12" square and has just the slightest age discoloration in one corner, see photos. This is a wonderful very early example. Circa 1830

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...

This is a pair of linen homespun pillow cases that are more like show towels. The linen is very finely woven, the pulled thread work, borders the top and bottom of the name and date. The embroidered name and date is done in a wool floss and has not done as well with use as the body of the pillow case. Her name is Barbara Wismer, I think, and the date is 1829. There is no question they were used and laundered but they are in great condition with a bit of age related toning in places...

Two pewter plates with old patina right out of a New Hampshire house. They are 8 1/4" across and one has a touch mark that I cannot make out. The other I don't see any mark. They have nice old patina. Circa 1820

Nice early blue and white cotton homespun handkerchief that has been used and loved and survived pretty well considering it is about 200 years old. It is a strong medium weight cotton with a nice sky blue dye giving nice contrast to the white. Two sides had overcast stitches but one side has lost the stitches giving it frayed appearance and the other two sides are hemmed. The initials are SGS. It has one tiny little discoloration spot...

A wonderful early woman's pocket made from a roller print with the colors of madder, brown and mustard. It is backed with a homespun linen fabric. All hand sewn. The front of the pocket is lined with the same linen homespun and the back. The fabric is fragile in some of the black areas where the tannic acid dye has weakened fabric. It is priced accordingly and is by no means falling apart. It is 13 1/2" top to bottom and is 5 " across the to and 9" across the bottom...

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...

A nice simple cutwork heart that is 3" by 2 3/4". It is set on the black paper but is not attached to it. The color is a very soft pink to mauve and white . There is a slight bit of foxing that shows up more in the pictures than it does by sight. It is unframed and they way I bought. Circa 1850-70.

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...

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...

A very nice stockinette face doll with button eyes and embroidered eyebrows, nose and mouth. She has raveled yarn hair, she has attached arms and legs and sewn on stockinette shoes. She has wear on hands and on her black stockings. She is firmly stuffed with cotton. She is looking for Vera Wang but until then is wearing a camisole and pantaloons. She is 20" tall and is circa 1890

Very nice poplar Shaker bonnet with a label marking the size as a 5. They were also made in size #6 and size #7. The bonnets were sold by the Shakers in their gift shops but they were not made by the Shakers. This one is in very good condition. It does have a few brown stains at the top of the brim edge, see photo. This is just about as good as you can get for this type of Shaker bonnet.

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.

A very nice pair of antique hand knit blue and white cotton socks with a initials at the top. I think the initials are WWF. The stockings are knit with three different weight cotton yarn the heaviest is the wonderful true blue that is the foot and ankle where all the wear is and the area where you want the most cushioning. The lighter blue is medium weight and the white is the lightest where you don't want it to bind. The have been used but not abused. at the heel there is a little weakness but ...

A very nice child size red, white and blue checked bonnet. It has the cardboard stays that are removable so the bonnet can be washed. I like this feature because you can hang the bonnet on a peg rack so much easier without the stays. It is in good condition it just one spot at the very top of the brim...see picture. It is 13" top to bottom and 9" front to back.