Featured needlepoint (3)... antique, vintage or repros?

Hello, Antiquers! New here, first post. I can't seem to stop bringing home Textiles, Needle Arts, and Clothing that I find in thrift shops! I always think I'll work one of those unfinished needlepoint pieces on my own, but the screens are just stacking up in a closet.

These are three that I especially like... but I'm unable to tell their ages.

The woman with dog (I love her subtly blushed cheeks)has damage to one corner, but is otherwise intact. Approx 16" x 20".

The medieval shepherdess (she has a bit of a blush, too) is excellent condition, which makes me wonder if it's contemporary? Approx 14" x 20".

The griffons pillow has decay (looks like moth damage, to me) and the needlework has batting stitched to the reverse side that's intended to give defined dimension to the imagery. Perhaps at one time is was effective - now, notsomuch. It's the only pillow that has a zipper (metal) for access. Approx 20" x 22".

I see that image size limits are limited... not sure how clear these will be.

Thanks in advance for any input!

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These look a bit older than those from the needlepoint revival in the 1960s/1970s. (And a metal zipper confirms that.) Photographs of the backing would helping determine age. And, these were typically done from commercial patterns; you might get lucky with an internet search.

Debora

 

http://www.artsunlight.com/artist-N.../N-V0001-050-portrait-of-mme-d-aguesseau.html

Portrait of Mme D'Aguesseau. c. 1770
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Louise Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun

Vigee-Lebrun, Louise Elisabeth (Marie Louise élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun)(French 1755-1842) Neoclassical Painter.

 

Wow... that's amazing - thank you! I did some cursory googling, and will do more. Having the painting as a reference will be really helpful for that one. I'll also open seams to get at the backing of the two that are completely stitched closed... pics to follow. Thanks so much!

 

Yep, yep, yep.... found on eBay.

http://vi.vipr.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBay...descgauge=1&cspheader=1&oneClk=1&secureDesc=0

 

They look more like basilisks to me:

 

your pics are very good......keep em coming..

 

Welcome Ninabeth on this amazing board!
Lovely first post and perfect pics

 

If I were guessing: 1980s, 1950s and 1930s from top to bottom.

 

I think @evelyb30 's guess is a good one, agreed!
Welcome to our forum!

 

Thank you all for the warm welcome and for your input! "Basilisks"!

I opened the shepherdess piece and it's just got loose, fluffy stuffing inside instead of a pillow. The fluff has clung to the back of the needlepoint like Persian cat fur...it's completely obscured. The fabric used on the back is really unappealing - like bad upholstery - so I'm going to remove the whole thing, de-fuzz the needlepoint and re-do it nicer fabric (and a decent pillow).

 

A photograph would be helpful before you discard.

Debora

 

I find a crest of 2 basilisks torching a vase of flowers very odd indeed! Suppose they could be cockatrices.

 

Cockatrice

 

Webbed wings and barbed tongues!

 

I would have snatched up both the pillows and I'm not even a huge fan of needlepoint.

I cannot help but think the designer of the shepherd piece was familiar with this piece from the1940s (per the linked description)
https://www.chairish.com/product/1306848/antique-1940s-noble-pastorale-french-mille-fleurs-tapestry



And while the linked page mentions a similar piece at the met museum, the link of your piece to that one is not as strong.

 

Love this:
Antique 1940s

There is undoubtedly an actual tapestry behind the design of OP's piece. Kit maker would have chosen an image out of copyright, something in a museum. The chairish tapestry might be a copy of a much older one or original work in the same mille fleurs tradition. The connection between the two would be indirect.

 

Thanks, Jivvy! There's the inspiration, right there. It's so much fun to look into this stuff.

The backside fabric reminds me of mid-century matelassé-like bedspread. Fiber burns as rayon. It feels sticky and grubby and it's gotta go.







In googling images I saw that the "Noble Pastoral" was a thing... and I ran across this fantastic tapestry by Suzanne Husky. It's more than 8 feet wide. Apologies for wandering off the antiques path, but I love it. I want it. The details are enchanting...

https://www.suzannehusky.com/tapisserie

 

That is fabulous! Thank you for posting that, I'm off to look at her work.