Rare, unusual and interesting antique costumes and textiles; for museums and collectors looking for that extra special piece, for new and established collectors and for those with a modest budget who want to adorn their person or home.

SOLD

Horsehair Embroidered Tablecover
Late 18th c

This extraordinary cover is quite fantastic. It is embroidered with horsehair!   The colours are beautiful and the technique intriguing. I have sold reticules and hats with horse hair in the past, but nothing as large as this. I have just found a reticule in Boston's Museum of Fine Art collection which states it is French. The design is very similar.


Cataloguing

The central coat of arms with a swan and lion flanking two shields below a crown, the border with meandering silk embroidered tendrils with a variety raised work flowerheads large and small, including roses, bluebells, lillies and bunches of grapes, all worked in stained horsehair, with a little silver wire couching in the flowerheads, in shades of red, apricot, blue, green, yellow, ivory on a ribbed ivory water silk ground, the edge with a pleated scalloped frill.



4ft 10 in x 4ft 8 in; 1.47 x 1.4 m



 



 


Condition

Very good. Unfaded. A few slight marks to centre. Ask for photos.


Comments

MFA, Boston    51.255