Featured How old is this embroidery on linen?

Hi all

How old could this piece be? It looks like it got some age to it.

I have put it myself in its current frame.

Looks like they streched the linen on a gilden frame and used hammered nails.

Somebody maybe a idea how old this linen or cotton could be or maybe an idea when such decoration was used like the red glass stones or beads.

It shows King Alfred who lived in the 9th century. Surly this is not that old ☺

 

I think 19th century, but others are more knowledgeable on the subject.

 

I was intrigued by 'King Alfred Maketh Him a Clock'. Evidently part of his legend:

The burnishing of King Alfred’s reputation in legend was posthumous, not flowering until the twelfth century.[4] Alfred’s hagiographic biographer in life, Asser, had missed out greatness from his portrait: young Alfred wants nothing better than to win a book of Anglo-Saxon poetry from his mother, and learns to translate Latin into Old English when divine inspiration arrives at the age of thirty-nine. He also invents the candle-clock.

 

Yes indeed a very intriguing person. I've also read this and how he invented the candle clock. You would not understand the image if you don't know he history about it.

 

19th century was also my guess but not really into embroidery but I just liked the color and aging on it. Now I have framed it is do like it even more.

 

Looks plenty old... but what ever you do... get it out of contact with the wood of that frame as soon as possible!

Leslie

 

That's rather crudely done. And if you notice, the pattern isn't even followed closely. Not new, of course, but when were commercial embroidery patterns first available? And those metal bits and faux stones?

Debora

 

I'd think very late 1800s if I had to guess. That's when the story of King Alfred and the clock appears to have been popular and taught in schools.

Debora

 

I like it, and think it's very nicely done.

 

@Bronwen

Wonderful word. I don't remember seeing it before.. Thank you.

 

Early kit for embroiderer, late 19thc would be my guess, sort of an old version of paint by numbers ..outlines are drawn on the canvas and embroiderer fills in the blanks. Subject suggests later rather than earlier.

A version of Berlin Wool work or Canvas work perhaps

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_wool_work

 

I like it too, nicely done !!! ... Joy.

 

The skill of a needleworker is measured by the back.

Debora

 

Could have been a young girl's project. I'm guessing 1890s to 1910 based on the flowers and things on his crown.