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Franco-American Textile with the Image of an Eagle Holding the American and Flag

About the Item

Franco-American textile with the image of an eagle supporting knotted and draped american and French flags beneath four war planes; embroidered silk floss and metallic bullion thread on a silk ground, with elaborate bullion fringe, made to celebrate the end of WWI (U.S. Involvement 1917-1918): “Souvenir of France” patriotic textile, made for the American G.I. market at the end of WWI. Sold as a decorative pillow top, or simply as a whimsy to be framed, the textile is made of silk with a fringe that is constructed of elaborately woven, metallic bullion lace. The French were master-producers of bullion fringe and Paris had been the source for the best of its kind for more than 100 years. Oval in shape, the decorative imagery and text are embroidered in silk floss and bullion thread on a silk ground. The central device, beneath an arch of and interspersed with laurel leaves, includes a spread-winged eagle carrying American and French flags, knotted together in solidarity. These appear in a draped and billowing format that follows the oval perimeter in a visually compelling fashion. Rays of sunshine rise from above the Union of flags to symbolize a new dawn that followed victory of the Allied Forces. These reach into a symbolic sky with four fighter / bombers to represent America’s role in the liberation of France. The presence of aircraft in WWI imagery on a textile of this sort is significant and something I have not before encountered. While I have seen numerous other works of the same general sort, no two are alike in my experience and this is, hands-down, the most beautiful one that I have ever encountered. Mounting: The textile has been handstitched to 100% cotton, black in color, that was washed to reduce excess dye. And acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Condition: There is extremely minor oxidation, but there are no significant condition issues. Frame size (H x L): 37" x 41.25" Flag size (H x L): 28" x 32".

Dimensions:
Height: 37 in (93.98 cm)Width: 41.25 in (104.78 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Silk
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1917-1918
Condition:
See Item Description.
Seller Location:
York County, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: pat-5351stDibs: LU849712774582