Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Textiles (32)

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.

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 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...

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 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...

Early antique homespun cotton handkerchief in blue and white. It is very tightly woven and soft to the touch. It has two initials M and H. This is an American and possibly Shaker made. It is 17 1/2" by 19 1/2". The condition is excellent with some slight age discoloration. This was made for longevity! Circa 1830-40.

This early very beautiful Civil War era capelet is a rich reddish brown calico made with the finest cotton fabric that looks like it might be homespun. The workmanship is the best. The capelet is 14” back of neck to bottom and is 10” front down to bottom and 24” spread out. Circa 1860 and excellent condition and Museum quality.

This antique Amish mat is hand braided and really nicely hand sewn. It is in near perfect condition with some minor surface abrasion. It is very tightly braided and to the touch it feels like it has some wool in the fabric. The colors are a green/blue, pink and purple. I lies perfectly flat on the table. 10" by 13" Late 19th C.

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.

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...

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. He is 7 1/2" long and 6" tall...

This sweet little brown and red doll quilt is in exellent condition with just a little fraying on one edge...see close up. I like to see signs of age like this because it shows it really old. When fabric has been folded and washed and ironed the folds start breaking down the fabric, sometimes aging is a good thing. The quilt is 6" square and is backed with a double pink calico.

Pair of wonderful cotton knit striped socks the heal hand worked. The colors and mustard yellow, blue and white stripes. Some of the hand sewing in the heal is lose or is partly out. No holes and I doubt they have been worn much at all. 28" long and circa 1880

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. This is a nice early folk art doll quilt from the 187...

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.)