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Does anyone here know much about antiques?

cygnet

cygnet

Brilliant_Rock
Trade
Joined
May 24, 2012
Messages
536
My awesome SO brought me home a tapestry yesterday. I had seen it while I was out thrift shopping this weekend and I begged him to go back and get it for me.

I'd like to know more about it, but I really don't know much of anything about art or tapestries or anything like that. It's pretty amazing though. The frame is in terrible shape, but I find it to be kind of charming, and the tapestry itself is a little faded but in otherwise great shape, no loose threads, etc. It's about 52x30". So, huge. I've hung it above my sewing table.

So, does anyone have any guesses about how old it might be or anything based on style or anything? Obviously no one here can authenticate an antique for me over the internet or anything like that, but a few clues would be nice...

Hopefully PS doesn't shrink these pics too much--

imag1635__1_.jpg

Below, I've enhanced the color a little bit so you can make out the detail more clearly.

imag1635.jpg
 
Pretty find. I ain't no tapestry expert, but from the style of the figures, it looks later than Victorian to me.

Do you have a museum nearby? Textile curators are delighted to help -- I consulted some myself about an item I inherited. Try some online research for tapestry experts -- then phone & talk to them & email your photos. Museums are the best source -- or experts associated with historical sites. I've used both & they're very helpful. Good luck.

--- Laurie
 
I would actually try to date the piece of art by its frame. Can you describe the damage to the frame?


ETA: The subject matter and style of tapestry is most closely associated with the Rococo period. I don't believe it's from that period but the style had a resurgence during the Victorian Period. It also could just be a reproduction and is more modern than that. That is why the frame may be able to give more clues.
 
Very similar. It looks like it was cut from the same tapestry but a different part. Interesting.
 
Wow, thanks, guys!

heraanderson, amazing find! I'm seriously surprised. This definitely has me almost certain that I have a reproduction. I've been looking back and forth between your photo and my tapestry, and I'm pretty sure that dancing couple is exactly the same. I don't know what a real antique frame is supposed to look like, but the gold swirly details on the outside are the most badly damaged, and they are falling off in certain places and are actually made of what appears to be plaster. I can upload a few pictures if you'd like. On a real antique, would the embellishment be carved from the same wood as the rest of the frame, or would they be attached pieces?

Whether or not it's a real antique, it's still a pretty cool find. It was $45 at Goodwill, which I think is reasonable for a giant, awesome piece of artwork.

EDIT-- here are some photos:

The frame:
imag1636.jpg

The dancing couple:
imag1637.jpg

Feeding the swans?
imag1638.jpg
 
Large art is expensive and you paid an excellent price for such a large piece!

As for the framing, I have seen ornate frames that were plaster casts as one piece but I couldn't really tell you much about them. I'm an Interior Designer with a good decorative arts background but I don't source many antiques for clients. We get many more requests for contemporary interiors.

You could, though, see if you could look at Victorian art pieces for sale. A lot of times, they will take pictures of the frame to show damage or show details. The crazing (the light jagged marks) on the frame doesn't look intentional so it seems to further suggest Victorian but one never knows for sure unless you get it appraised.
 
It's 1950's to 1970's mass-produced. I can tell by the style of the bodies (much more perspective and shadowing used, the man's posture is too casual), and the overall layout of the tapestry. Stylistically, it just doesn't hold up as Victorian. There was also big resurgence of Victorian styles in the 1950's and again in the 1970's. If you study art history for a while, this stuff is easy to spot. Also, I've been buying antiques and going to shows since the 1970's, so I've seen a lot of stuff. :bigsmile:

Also, your close-up of the frame shows the type of flat weaving that is very typical of mass production.

The frame can be from the 1890's-today, the molded plaster over wood is still being used today. But I suspect the frame is contemporary to the piece.

But the most interesting clue is the little houses in the background of this picture. This style of house didn't exist in Victorian times, and it looks more contemporary than even the 1940's. So, I think start with the 1950's and work forward from there.

We could tell more if we could look at the back of the weave.

I wouldn't take someone's classified ad as gospel. They might not know what they have.

I think it's beautiful, though, and over a sewing table is perfect for it. :appl:

imag1638.jpg
 
iLander|1360887632|3380373 said:
It's 1950's to 1970's mass-produced. I can tell by the style of the bodies (much more perspective and shadowing used, the man's posture is too casual), and the overall layout of the tapestry. Stylistically, it just doesn't hold up as Victorian. There was also big resurgence of Victorian styles in the 1950's and again in the 1970's. If you study art history for a while, this stuff is easy to spot. Also, I've been buying antiques and going to shows since the 1970's, so I've seen a lot of stuff. :bigsmile:

Also, your close-up of the frame shows the type of flat weaving that is very typical of mass production.

The frame can be from the 1890's-today, the molded plaster over wood is still being used today. But I suspect the frame is contemporary to the piece.

But the most interesting clue is the little houses in the background of this picture. This style of house didn't exist in Victorian times, and it looks more contemporary than even the 1940's. So, I think start with the 1950's and work forward from there.

We could tell more if we could look at the back of the weave.

I wouldn't take someone's classified ad as gospel. They might not know what they have.

I think it's beautiful, though, and over a sewing table is perfect for it. :appl:
Click to expand...

That could very well be true. I don't have much experience in repros, especially ones after the 1920's. The colors are consistent with the 50-60's though so it could very well be!
 
iLander|1360887632|3380373 said:
It's 1950's to 1970's mass-produced. I can tell by the style of the bodies (much more perspective and shadowing used, the man's posture is too casual), and the overall layout of the tapestry. Stylistically, it just doesn't hold up as Victorian. There was also big resurgence of Victorian styles in the 1950's and again in the 1970's. If you study art history for a while, this stuff is easy to spot. Also, I've been buying antiques and going to shows since the 1970's, so I've seen a lot of stuff. :bigsmile:

Also, your close-up of the frame shows the type of flat weaving that is very typical of mass production.

The frame can be from the 1890's-today, the molded plaster over wood is still being used today. But I suspect the frame is contemporary to the piece.

But the most interesting clue is the little houses in the background of this picture. This style of house didn't exist in Victorian times, and it looks more contemporary than even the 1940's. So, I think start with the 1950's and work forward from there.

We could tell more if we could look at the back of the weave.

I wouldn't take someone's classified ad as gospel. They might not know what they have.

I think it's beautiful, though, and over a sewing table is perfect for it. :appl:
Click to expand...

Actually, that structure can be interpreted as old. It could be a depiction of a more romanesque style (maybe even tudor)building with its massive type structure and its arch. Originally, I would think this is based off a Flemish type Rococo painting and then remade and the style of it changed to more contemporary colors and styles.
 
iLander|1360887632|3380373 said:
It's 1950's to 1970's mass-produced. I can tell by the style of the bodies (much more perspective and shadowing used, the man's posture is too casual), and the overall layout of the tapestry. Stylistically, it just doesn't hold up as Victorian. There was also big resurgence of Victorian styles in the 1950's and again in the 1970's. If you study art history for a while, this stuff is easy to spot. Also, I've been buying antiques and going to shows since the 1970's, so I've seen a lot of stuff. :bigsmile:

Also, your close-up of the frame shows the type of flat weaving that is very typical of mass production.

The frame can be from the 1890's-today, the molded plaster over wood is still being used today. But I suspect the frame is contemporary to the piece.

But the most interesting clue is the little houses in the background of this picture. This style of house didn't exist in Victorian times, and it looks more contemporary than even the 1940's. So, I think start with the 1950's and work forward from there.

We could tell more if we could look at the back of the weave.

I wouldn't take someone's classified ad as gospel. They might not know what they have.

I think it's beautiful, though, and over a sewing table is perfect for it. :appl:
Click to expand...

I have to agree with iLander. I have many antiques, including tapestries. This looks like a more contemporary tapestry. Also, pictures of the back of the tapestry are just as important as the front.

It was a super price even if it is a newer tapestry! :appl:
 
Wow, iLander, you have so many talents! Cygnet, I think its wonderful regardless of when its from!
 
iLander, interesting. You do have diverse talents! The posture of the man made me think it's later, too -- and looking at the faces & especially the mouths, I think 60s - 70s makes sense.

Anyway, it's a neat thing to have & perfect for above a sewing table!

--- Laurie
 
Wow, you guys are a talented bunch! Thank you very much iLander, heraanderson, ClassyRocks, minousbijoux and JewelFreak!

iLander and hera, you have some excellent mystery-solving talents!

While I'm slightly disappointed that I don't have a priceless antique, I'm really not surprised that it seems to be more modern. It's still pretty awesome. I love it and it is bringing some much needed life into my sewing room! I'm a grandma at heart :D
 
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