Featured Old needlepoint made into tray

Hello friends, I got this a few weeks ago and was wondering if anyone knew the age of this, has some greenish gray felt on back, seen on back of frame, I cut it out to check the inside, still have not taken it out of frame, should i or leave alone, any possible era or style of this, or exact name ?

Thank You

Billy D.

 

Hello Billy, looks like it is woven rather than embroidered. A charming, framed tapestry.
It is probably based on a 19th century historic style painting or print. The dress of the girl looks 19th or early 20th century Central European, but the stylish gentlemen look like they just stepped out of a 17th century Dutch painting for a visit.
I know the gentleman with the flowers from another painting, without flowers, but can't remember which one. Probably one of the Dutch or Flemish painters, Frans Hals maybe?

 

I only know enough about this sort of thing to say I like very much!

 

Great Any Jewelry, I wonder if I should take the back wood off to see more detail.

 

I don't think it would reveal much, and it could be a hassle trying to get the tapestry back in the frame properly. I think the tapestry was machine woven.
A bit of tlc on the frame, maybe on the handles too, and you've got a lovely tray.

 

Okay Thanks for that information Any Jewelry.

 

I have several of these tapestries that my uncle brought back from Europe after WWII. Recently I picked up a 5' long, 2' high one in a frame - glued to cardboard and with a wooden backing. It was in a lot of stuff so it wasn't something I was looking for. Originally these would be brightly colored, but time and bad care leaches the color. People didn't realize they were ruining them with glue and wood. Wood is too acidic and shouldn't come in contact with paper or textiles. I think these types of things are coming back as decorative objects. As Any Jewelry said, spruce up the frame and don't worry about how it's constructed.

 

Okay cool, Thank You