Flame Stitch and Cornucopia, Pair of 19th Century Schoolgirl Needlepoints on Homespun Linen with Puffed Borders artist box and the lovely shiny black

and the lovely shiny black painted handle--what makes this one really special is the engraved silver ring just below the handle

I believe this piece dates from the first quarter of the 20th century and would have been made for the tourist market

with the yellow squares hand-stitched onto the very dark blue

who would I believe have been in his 60s when her carved this

and the root dramatically encircling it

Flame Stitch and Cornucopia, Pair of 19th Century Schoolgirl Needlepoints on Homespun Linen with Puffed Borders artist box and the lovely shiny blackNever 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