Thread Folk Art

Hand-sewed rice straw art by Arko. Title: A head-sea over the night sky This work has the feelings of contemporary, tribal art, contemporary craft art, created with the respect for ...

19th Century Extra-Long Brass Sleigh Bells on Leather Belt: 39 Jingle Bells, Nearly 8 Feet Long A spectacular and highly authentic set of original 19th-century brass sleigh bells, featuring an impressive 39 hand-cast bells mounted on a nearly 8-foot-long leather strap. This exceptional antique offers not only a beautiful historic presence, but also the perfect traditional “Jingle Bells” sound, bright, rich, and unmistakably festive, just as sleigh bells should be. Each bell is solid brass, tightly fastened and fully functional, producing that magical tone that modern reproductions rarely achieve. The leather strap retains its original metal buckle and remains surprisingly supple and pliable for its age. With simple annual conditioning, it should continue to remain strong and flexible for years to come. The strap appears handmade and hand-stitched, and while there are small areas of thread loss consistent with age, the original workmanship was so solid that these minor imperfections do not compromise the structural integrity of the piece. The leather has developed a beautifully worn patina that speaks to more than a century of use, adding depth and authenticity to its appearance. In the 19th century, long straps of sleigh bells like this were affixed to horse harnesses so travelers could be heard approaching through winter snow, helping prevent collisions on narrow rural roads. Over time, this cheerful sound became woven into the imagery of the holiday season and ultimately inspired the classic Christmas carol, “Jingle Bells.” Today, authentic sets like this capture the warmth and romance of Victorian winter travel and embody the nostalgia of an old-fashioned Christmas. Because of its impressive length, this sleigh bell strap lends itself beautifully to holiday decorating. Many collectors enjoy hanging it on a door so it jingles each time someone enters or exits, while others drape it across a mantel for a warm, traditional seasonal moment. It also looks wonderful wrapped around a staircase railing, stretched along a festive tablescape as a conversation piece, or even displayed on a wall as a piece of functional folk art. However it’s arranged, the authentic sound and historic character bring instant Victorian holiday charm to any space. Original 19th-century sleigh bell straps in this size and condition have become increasingly difficult to find, especially with such a full complement of bells still attached. Modern reproductions, while decorative, seldom replicate the deep, resonant sound of genuine antique brass or the rich patina only time and use can create. For lovers of Americana, equestrian history, Victorian Christmas...

Set of four woven placemats in purple. A fabulous addition to any brunch, dinner, or dinner party. Woven from natural fiber, each piece features a wove...

A lovely square framed hand embroidered wall hanging of a peacock and roses. This beautiful piece has been cross stitched by hand in a variety of bright and bold colors. A peacock ta...

An incredible collection of 17 Folk Art pin cushions. The group comprising pansy flowers, strawberries, boots, mittens, a rolled cushion, 2 books, a pear form, a bell form, a carrot, and a heart. In varying materials including silks, wools, and cottons. The carrot is the newest, made from an early synthetic fiber. Some are filled with cotton batting, some with sand or sawdust. From the personal collection of a long-standing, well-regarded Virginia antiques...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Rinforzando This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Untitled Her works have the feelings of contemporary tribal art, contemporary Craft art, created with the respect for wild nature. ARKO...

Hand-sewed rice straw wall sculpture by ARKO. Title: Breath of layers The works that is made of rice straw. Her works have the feelings of contemporary tribal art, contemporary Cr...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: The Hole of Burning Sand Her works have the feelings of contemporary tribal art, contemporary Craft art, created with the respect for wil...

A striking pair of tall African beaded textile panels, intricately hand-worked with delicate floral and vine motifs. Thousands of tiny white beads create a subtle raised pattern acro...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage obi fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics. [Size] 73cm x 53cm x 5cm [Materials] silk (outside-layer) , paulownia (wooden frame), gold leaf [Story behind the work] This work uses a vintage kimono fabric with marble pattern, that makes it look like a real piece of marble. The line in the middle symbolizes “kintsugi” - concept of wabi-sabi, which values imperfection, impermanence, and the beauty of aging. It is elegantly framed with paulownia wood originally used for kimono chest-of-drawers, and is filled with storytelling and sense of luxury. I used pieces of kimono that could no longer be used as clothing and kiritansu chest-of-drawers that would normally be discarded to create the ultimate upcycled piece. [Period / Story] The textile was created in around 1960ies. [Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors] Kintsugi (金継ぎ), which translates to "golden joinery" or "golden repair," is a traditional Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. I used this tecnique here to "repair" antique kimono by transforming it into art work. Beyond its literal meaning of mending broken ceramics, kintsugi carries profound philosophical and cultural significance in Japanese tradition: ・Embracing Imperfection: Kintsugi celebrates imperfection and impermanence. Rather than disguising or concealing flaws, it highlights them, treating the breakage as part of the object's history. This philosophy encourages acceptance of imperfection as an essential aspect of life, beauty, and human experience. ・Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic: Kintsugi embodies the principles of wabi-sabi, an aesthetic worldview centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Wabi-sabi values simplicity, authenticity, and the beauty of things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Kintsugi exemplifies these principles by turning what might be considered flaws into features that enhance the object's beauty and character. ・Resilience and Transformation: The act of repairing broken things with precious metals symbolizes resilience and transformation. Instead of discarding or replacing the broken object, kintsugi honors its history and transforms it into something new and valuable. This reflects broader philosophical themes of overcoming adversity, finding beauty in imperfection, and embracing change. ・Honoring the Past: Kintsugi preserves and honors the history of the object. Rather than erasing or ignoring its past, it acknowledges and celebrates it. This aspect of kintsugi can be seen as a metaphor for honoring our own personal histories, including the challenges and setbacks we have faced, and recognizing how they have shaped us into who we are today. ・Spiritual and Philosophical Symbolism: Kintsugi has spiritual and philosophical implications, reflecting concepts such as the interconnectedness of all things, the cycle of life and death, and the pursuit of harmony and balance. The process of repairing broken objects with precious metals is seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth, enlightenment, and the journey towards wholeness. Overall, kintsugi represents not only a practical technique for repairing ceramics but also a profound philosophical and cultural perspective on life, beauty, and the human experience. It embodies values such as resilience, acceptance, and the transformative power of embracing imperfection. [Characteristics of the fabric] This vintage textile is hand-painted with a traditional painting technique where the colors are added on wet surface, which creates an effect of marble. [About the frame] Kiritansu - chest-of-drawers for kimono, is traditionally made from paulownia wood, a uniquely Japanese material closely tied to the world of kimonos. Paulownia wood is known as the lightest wood in Japan, prased for its natural luster, resistance to moisture, and resilience against cracking. Since ancient times, it has been used in crafting furniture, chests, and musical instruments. During the Edo period, it became customary to store cherished kimonos in paulownia chests...

Exceptional 19th-century Native American Salish (Flathead) Plateau moccasins, dating to circa 1880, representing a rare and highly collectible example of Indigenous footwear from the...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Crescendo This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of contemporary tribal art, contempora...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Sostenuto This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of contemporary tribal art, contempora...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Marcato (A) This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of contemporary tribal art, contempo...

Hand-sewed rice straw wall sculpture by ARKO. Title: Untitled The works that is made of rice straw. Her works have the feelings of contemporary tribal art, contemporary Craft art...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by Arko. Title: A head-sea over the night sky (Small model) This work has the feelings of contemporary, tribal art, contempora...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Marcato (B) This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Allargando This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of ...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by Arko. Title: Composition Accelerando #01 This work has the feelings of contemporary, tribal art, contemporary craft art, ...

Framed in a folk art Starburst style wood frame, this embroidered sampler is a beautiful testament to the craftsmanship of artisans of the early 20...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Rubato This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of cont...

1940's Ninon Standard Twelve Colour Card Thread - New Old Stock - Set Of Ten. We recently came across a large hoard of new old stock hardware and general merchandise items, laying ...