Lion and Snake

Hello I have this piece of art that appears to be some kind of embroidery. All I know is that it has been passed down for a few generations so it is quite old. There is no name or signature anywhere (although I have not taken it out of the frame). I was just hoping that I could possibly get any sort of insight to this piece, as I know nothing about it or even where to start.

Thank you!

 

Based on Aesop's fable "The Lion and the Snake."

Debora

 

Is it possible that the item was made from a kit, kind of like Paint by Numbers? I looked on web for another or a kit and didn't find anything. How it was placed in the frame might give you an idea.

 

Interesting I never thought about that. The back of the frame is sealed with brown paper, I am tempted to rip it open but given how old it is, part of me does not want to tear it until I can get some more info about it. Thanks for looking into it though, appreciate it.

 

I think this is called crewel work. Im no expert,but that sure looks better than what a hobbyist might do. Id tear the paper off,its just paper. Then you could get a look at the backing,and what its embroidered on.

 

Johnny is correct this is crewel work.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crewel_embroidery

During the 1970s there was a resurgence of popularity.

 

This is the closest image I found online.

http://www.artnet.com/artists/samue...northcote-vulture-and-8_XAJg9Td2Fhevv8Mijb8Q2

 

If it's as old as you suspect ....I doubt the frame and backing are original .....
tear the paper and show us the back.....you can redo the paper....

 

Saw a movie where the crook hid all his cash in the backs of framed pictures on his walls. "The Grifters," Angelica Huston..., worth watching.

 

Hi,
I always change the backing on pictures and things. I had a 1921 print of a famous British painter (Turner) turns out it was originally a photograph of Niagara Falls from 1902. Once found a 50 dollar bill from 1935 photo. Ever since I hear about the guy in PA who found a real copy of the Declaration of Independence behind a painting he bought at a flea market. I do it to get rid of acid bearing cardboard and such. Another thing, I check the hems on drapes at house sales. One lady sewed her diamonds as weights in the drapes. I guess for safety from thieves.
greg

 

Sorry if I missed you!
Welcome Deborah!

 

Good movie!

 

Here is the back of it, thanks for everyone's help and insight so far.

 

now that indeed looks like it has age to it , and not some sew by numbers kit !

 

I really wish I could put an age on it, all I know is that at one point it was my great grandmothers (who died at age 102 about 3 years ago now), who got it from her mother. So maybe upwards of 100 years old. Not sure if the frame was ever replaced. I know it has been the same frame for at least 65 years though, looks like it was repainted however.

 

To me that looks like older muslin material
The frame appears to be the dark walnut type and was probably repainted. The shape is right for the mid-late 1800s walnut frames.

 

Is it possible that there could be some kind of signature somewhere else besides the front of the picture? When I took the back paper off I noticed there was an inside frame that holds the picture in place. The frame was pretty snug inside so I didn't want to perhaps break it trying to remove it.

 

I would not count on that. I think you've taken it far enough apart to get whatever info is available.

 

I have some new pictures after taking the picture right out of the frame. It looks like it has been repapered at least 3 times, I was lucky to find some of the newspaper that wasn't exposed , and came up with a date of 1938, so I now know it is at least that old lol. But that could just be a paper from when it was repapered at a later date. You can also see in the one picture the color difference of the material that has been exposed and the material hidden under the frame. The exposed is much darker.