Posted 10 years ago
shareurpas…
(318 items)
Okay, for something different, I thought I'd post these tapestries.
In 1988, my kids dad brought home an awesome old trunk in really good condition too, it had the insert which many times have long been tossed these days, right?!
There were a lot of things inside; costume jewelry, a real and whole fox fur (which I thought was creepy) a whole slew of family photos many of these photos were from the late 1800's and these 3 tapestries.
(Color difference is me...faulty photography...)
They have gold thread throughout.
Approx. Size: 51" x 51" (largest) Photo #4
59" x 19" (oblong) Photo #3
40" x 39" Photo #1 & 2
The photo of the girl holding the red rose that I posted was from this trunk and I have more that I will soon post along with a great story for that.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/129730-1880s-to-1900s-girl-with-a-rose-photo
Because of these photos, I can say that this family was well-to-do but these tapestries have me puzzled as I have not been able to pin down exactly what they are, how to describe them or when they are actually from. I haven't tried lately and it's been a while since I've looked but I'd really like to know.
Back in 95, someone offered me 1k for each and because I thought at the time the offer was really high, I figured they might be worth a whole lot more. Now I wonder if I should have accepted...Even tho I don't have them hanging, I still find them very intriguing...Do you see a story in them? I'd love to know...
Never-the-less, here they are and if anyone knows anything about them, I will be very appreciative of your knowledge.
Thanks all!
No idea what category to post under...
Thanks for the love vetraio and mike. Much appreciated.
Are they silk?
beautiful ! wow
beautiful!!
Persian rugs are wool & or silk with metal thread sometimes used.
They really are amazing looking!!
Hi walksoftly, sorry I wasn't available earlier...busy bee!
No, I believe they are wool. They have the feel of linen, too thick for silk and not itchy like wool. I bet that helps right?! lol sorry, I just don't know for sure.
They also do not have the 'smell' of silk, which I think they would have if silk were it.
Thanks for you love and comments.
Thank you Phil. When I had an offer for them the guy did say they were Persian but it seemed to me he wasn't really sure. Either that or he didn't want me to know.
There is definitely gold metal through them, as walks stated...
Thanks Phil for your love and comments!
Something else I didn't mention is that the threads that go vertically are thin at the end, the fringe.
The horizontal threads seem to be thick.
There is an absolute difference in appearance and feel between the two.
Thank you Mani for you love and comment.
Thank you too Sean!
Thank you agh, Radegunder, Jewels, jscott, ho2 and Doc for all the loves!
I think that you should take hem to someone that can give them a proper appraisal.
They could be worth more than that guy was willing to give you.
These are fantastic Sue. Such fine tapestries. I agree with Walk - appraisal time!
they look like mini-coverlets. really beautiful and interesting ones!!
Thank you walks. I may just do that! I appreciate your comments, that's for sure.
Thank you Karen, I hope walks is right...I have some updates I think I will edit into the post!
Thank you ho2. Appreciate that! B.T.W. I saw one of your posts that mentioned Alameda Flea Market, I looked into it...I was unaware, but will be heading there next month!!! ;)
Thank you CindB. Four photos to a post is very cool, but for something like this, I wish there were more available. I may redo them. We'll see.
Thank you all for the loves, much appreciated as always!!!
SEAN
surfdub
Trey
PatSea
Hi Moonstone! Good to see you, it's been a while it seems. Thank you for the love!
UPDATE: So, a very special someone from here has guided me to a place they knew that a very similar tapestry is up for auction right now. Without telling me why I was led to this site and knowing of it previously, at most I reluctantly went there out of respect alone...I knew I could get "stuck" there for hours! So, as my mother used to say whenever I asked her how to spell something, she would sing her favorite tune... that ever-so-dreaded "look it up".
Taking the cue from that, (thanks mom) I started to browse...after about 10 minutes, I typed in "tapestries", sure enough after a couple quick scrolls, there it was! Not exactly the same but very close. At least now I had a few clues that I will tell you about.
I believe these to be what is listed as 19th/20th Century (pretty much what I originally thought). And under the title of "Continental Framed Tapestry".
That one is oblong too, with some difference in actual measurements.
Now mine are not framed but I looked up Continental and found that to actually be a style of stitch used when making tapestries, even to this day. It's one of the better stitches and keeps both sides looking neat with continuity.
This bit of info may seem small but really is a huge help giving me the main specifics I need to restart the search now I know what direction to go from here to find more info. Funny how the perception of one word can have such a drastic difference!
The tapestry up for bid appears to have much more wear, I'm guessing someone displayed it on the wrong wall. (Even the evening sun is capable of destroying one of your favs).
I can't wait to find out what happens at this auction, and even more...locating a more specific comp!
Thank you, thank you to You know who you are!!! So appreciated!!! ;)))))
I'll let you all know what I find!!!
I know right CindB ?!?! So excited!!!
Thank you katherine!
These are incredible, I can't wait to hear what you find out, and their ultimate value as they look as if they could be worth quite a bit. How exciting!
Ugh! It's that dreaded look it up thing again! lol!!! These do have color Phil, I just need photography lessons...how to take pics when you're in a hurry!!!
Now off to the dictionary! And back to the site! ;)
Grisaille definition, monochromatic painting in shades of gray.
I also did a search on Persian Pictorial Tapestries, and found a site that gives alot of information about Persian Hunting Rugs, Religious Pictorials and the history of when animals, such as horses and people were put into the rugs, ect. Talks of some silk, too. I found it interesting. Maybe you will too??
https://urbanrugs.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/the-beauty-of-the-persian-hunting-rug/
I was looking for a source to one of my linen pictorials of Persia, it's much different. I haven't posted it yet, but plan to. I enjoyed hearing the story, and hope I make it back to find out the answer to these mysterious Tapestries!