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.

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...

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 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...

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...

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

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

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.

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...

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 nice early antique cloth doll with an amazing brown calico dress. She has a sweet ink drawn face with big round eyes. She has applied black fabric on the back of her head representing hair. She has an hour glass body with a tiny waist. Under her calico dress is a early petticoat and pantaloons. She has sewn on brown polished cotton fabric shoes or boots. Her dress is sewn on and the dress is fragile. The hem either never was done or it has more than likely been cut off to accommodate this doll...

This is quite the scrap book. The back and front are cloth covered in blue and white calico...

This is a very nice egg wash chintz brown calico bag with a tan linen lining. It has a ribbon trim across the top and around the edges of the bag. The edges only have a little of the ribbon trim left, it has worn off over the years. The bag is in really good shape and is not fragile, it could be really used. Or great to use to store items while hanging off a hook or peg rack. 10" by 13" not including the straps. Circa 1870-80

An antique watercolor painting of an early Maine farm house with out buildings. It is a modest setting but with a very neat and tidy welcoming look. It is 6 by 9" and with mat and frame is 9 3/4" by 13". It show lines where is was folded at one time. I have not had it out of the frame. ( I bought this in an estate sale in Maine so I am assuming it is Maine but it doesn't have to be.)

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.