Radiant Geometric Design Antique Wool on Cotton Needlepoint Candlemat threaded lid with birds of many colors

with birds of many colors in flight

Scattered stains

Paper mounted to board I believe

and then this stoic face with straight mouth and bulbous nose

Radiant Geometric Design Antique Wool on Cotton Needlepoint Candlemat threaded lid with birds of many colorsI've developed quite a fondness for antique needlepoint candle mats and am snapping them up whenever I come across them, which is not especially often but I've found a few lately. I believe this is probably later 19th century, hand dyed wool on cotton ground, the construction of which the the reverse side reveals around the perimeter of the needlepoint. Fabulous color and I really love the almost optical illusionism of the geometric design. 7 3 4"