Flame Stitch and Cornucopia, Pair of 19th Century Schoolgirl Needlepoints on Homespun Linen with Puffed Borders folk art nutcracker rings and a little cracking

rings and a little cracking here and there

hand-written in graphite: "Christmas 1917

I presume the white cross on red represents Denmark

first birds and then"the human condition in all its moods and shapes" as described by Lyle Elder

and I believe produced by Grimaud sometime between 1855-1875

Flame Stitch and Cornucopia, Pair of 19th Century Schoolgirl Needlepoints on Homespun Linen with Puffed Borders folk art nutcracker rings and a little crackingNever ever will I resist small woolen needleworks like this with these sorts of fluffed borders, these two I believe likely the work of a schoolgirl in the second half of the 19th century. Found pinned directly to the wall, which is just what I would do with them. So joyful, and electric feeling, and with the flame stitch one especially feeling to me perfectly poised to have a conversation with an abstract painting, modern or post modern or painted