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.

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 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

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 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.

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...

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

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...

19th C. crepe paper doll dress is the best blue color. It has a lighter blue crepe paper belt with a gold paper buckle. It opens and slips over the paper dolls head. It is in very nice condition. 3 1/2" top to bottom and is circa 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. He is 7 1/2" long and 6" tall. (His ears are a wool knit fabric that looks like they have been there for a while.) Hi is 19th C...

This black cloth doll is from a private collection in New Hampshire. She is 16" tall and has embroidered face with a pinched raised nose. She has floss hair coming out from around the sewn on gathered bonnet. She is rag stuffed and is very firm...

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

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.

A black cloth doll with lots of assets. This doll has a very nice embroidered face, the clothes are fabulous, (including pantaloons, petticoat, skirt blouse,apron, lace shawl), her hair is deerskin hide, her socks are hand made with a different color yarn on the sole to make it look like a shoes and she is 20" tall. She is firmly stuffed with cotton. She sits but resists a little so she would sit on an upholstered chair but would tend to slip on a wooden surface. I have had her sitting on a woo...

These darling 2 1/2" tall Koala bears are antique velvet. They have some kind of metal buttons for eyes and noses. Their little paws wrap around the real nut shells. They have old red ribbons around their necks. The ribbons are old but may not be original. The velvet has lost some of the pile but it is not noticeable with the foundation fabric being the same color. They are a little bit soft with an inner core of wood so they sit nicely. You can tell they are best friends. Circa 1890