Featured Egyptian-themed lace doily

Discussion in 'Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing' started by bluumz, May 18, 2021.

  1. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    At first I was thinking this little 11.5”x6” doily was from sometime in the mid century but now I’m wondering... could it actually be from the 1920s when King Tut’s tomb was found? I haven’t been able to find anything like it. It’s very hard to tell which is the front side and which is the back.
    Opinions appreciated!
    @Northern Lights Lodge

    85459397-257D-4070-A44F-8C4FA88A8382.jpeg B25B2C54-EDE2-40B9-BF21-F5B11C5F0AE2.jpeg 96E261BB-D9FA-4D66-B33F-C24DC5951D9F.jpeg 0746BBBB-556D-428C-9F18-78DC54F28EC8.jpeg
     
    kyratango, pearlsnblume, judy and 4 others like this.
  2. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Might be original Victorian Egyptian Revival even. I think that's a Sphinx not Tut.
     
    Bakersgma, pearlsnblume, judy and 3 others like this.
  3. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    That hadn’t even occurred to me, thanks for the suggestion. Is there anything in particular that makes you think that’s a possibility other than the theme?
     
    pearlsnblume likes this.
  4. Northern Lights Lodge

    Northern Lights Lodge Well-Known Member

    Well, it is machine made. The lower photo is the "top" side of the piece. If you look at the little point's that run around the edge with the embroidered dot in the center. You will see there is a "double" thread running off to the left in the 3rd photo - those threads are missing in the 4th photo. So those threads are the coming and going threads to make that little dot. The top side wouldn't show that. Is it linen or cotton? My guess is cotton - due to the fuzz ends on threads.
    It comes to mind that the birds may be phoenix's; which means that the "head" could be a Mayan or Aztec "sun god". All three cultures used phoenix's in their culture. As for a date; it "could" be as early as the 1880's... but it doesn't feel right to me to be that old. I feel that post 1900 is probably a truer age.

    It is a truly curious little piece!
    Cheerio Leslie
     
  5. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Thanks, Leslie!
    Yes, it is made of cotton and now that you’ve pointed it out, I can see which is the back and which is the front side. I appreciate all the info!
     
    Any Jewelry and pearlsnblume like this.
  6. Northern Lights Lodge

    Northern Lights Lodge Well-Known Member

    My pleasure! :)
     
    bluumz likes this.
  7. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The head is wearing a Pharaonic false beard:

    [​IMG]
    upload_2021-5-19_13-33-24.jpeg


    The Mayas and Aztecs didn't have a phoenix as a symbol, that is an alien concept in pre-Columbian culture. Maybe you mean the quetzal?

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Bird might be Khonsu given it has a sun on it.
     
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  9. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    If you look at the birds on the top and bottom of the doily, those don't have disks. What looks like a moon disk, could just be the connecting bits, with a plant or branch between the bird and the Pharaoh. The top and bottom birds also have a branch-like thingie next to them.

    [​IMG]
     
    bluumz likes this.
  10. Northern Lights Lodge

    Northern Lights Lodge Well-Known Member

    Yes, I bet you are right! I just remembered seeing a fancy bird!
    Leslie
     
    bluumz and Any Jewelry like this.
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