Featured Origin and Name of Complicated Needlework?

Evening all!
I have this vintage set of seven table runners and placemats that I have been unable to identify. So much intricate work, a very silky-type of thread, and the 3-D "stars" appear to be thread coiled underneath then overlain with wrapped cording exoskeletons or something that builds them up to a quarter of an inch thick! Does anyone know what I have here? @NorthernLightsLodge ? I am thinking eastern European for some inexplicable reason. Thank you!

 

Those are lovely! Huge amount of work if hand made

 

Very Christmasy!

 

Mind-boggling detail! I can't imagine any machine being able to do that. I think I'm getting warm.. lap weaving, hexagonal lap looming, this Russian site.... https://stranamasterov.ru/node/838057

 

Definitely handmade. It seems to be a widespread craft (although I had not encountered it before), so it may be difficult to narrow down the origin of your examples. As you note, it is done on a hexagonal form of "pin loom". Square forms became popular in the 1930s - https://woolery.com/blog/guest-post-pin-loom-weaving-with-meg-stump/ - for making small pieces of fabric woven with simple tabby weave (one warp, one weft, over-under).

I have not been able to find another example with the elaborate wrapping in the center of the stars on yours. This technique is similar to the method used on "God's Eye" pieces, with 4 or 6 arms. My feeling is yours may be Chinese, or possibly from India, but I might be wrong. The fiber looks like rayon, or a similar synthetic. I doubt it is silk.

 

Cute pieces! I did some research through my needlework books. I was unable to find a name for it. I have had pieces come through my hands from time to time. None particularly old; but serviceable and colorful.

I could not say for certain; but, I'm picturing some simply made "loom". Utilizing shape on a board with nails spaced along the outline. Then crochet cotton strung back and forth; and then stitching to pull the wrapped cotton into simple designs.

It strikes me that it was something done in mid-century 30's - 50's... and instructions appearing in magazines like Workbasket. I'll keep it in mind and if I can pin point it... I'll repost.
Leslie

 

I believe a Facebook friend may have nailed it! It is a silk weaving "Pom Pom" technique from Spain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltMnSn0_2gE

https://en.todocoleccion.net/.../tapete-hilo-seda-tipo...

 

Absolutely definitely! Awesome! Good job "nailing" it down! LOL! Leslie

 

(the image from your second link)

Certainly the same basic technique, although there are some differences with yours. The Spanish ones shown in your links are done on a square pin loom, with warps running in 8 directions. Yours are done on a hexagonal pin loom, with warps running in only 3 directions. The use of hexagonal frames seems to be a fairly recent innovation.

It is interesting that the second link describes their example of such work as "Artesanía del servicio militar años 70." Which in google translate = "70's military service crafts". And in the youtube video it is clearly a man's hands doing the work. I wonder if it was used as a rehab craft for disabled veterans. It is a small, portable, relatively simple hand occupation.

This is more what I would consider a "pom pom", and what turns up most often when doing a search for "pin loom pom pom" (or pompon):


I have also found several Turkish videos demonstrating similar pin loom techniques. So I still think it will be difficult to be certain about the origin of your place mats.

............

OK, I have found an 1885 reference that describes such techniques as "Frame Work" - S.F.A. Caulfeild & B.C. Saward: The Dictionary of Needlework (now available in multiple reprints, as well as online). Here are photos of the relevant pages. But if you can't read the photos, you can find the book here: https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofneed00caul/page/n224/mode/1up
(pgs. 225-227 / 213-215 in the original pagination)