Embroidered Picture, Tver Region, Russia, late 19th Century

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Embroidered Picture, Tver Region, Russia, late 19th Century

About the Item

Russian folk art is known for its brilliant color, which is found in its paintings, crafts and needlework. The well-known nesting dolls, or matryoshka, are one of the highly regarded and quintessential Russian folk arts that make use of this great strength of color. This embroidered picture is a wonderful example of traditional imagery from Tver, a region northwest of Moscow, and just a short distance northwest from Abramtsevo, where the matryoshka were first made, also in the late 19th century. The city of Tver was planned in the 18th century as a grid, and many of the old buildings remain. Today it sits center in a large flax-growing region, and is known for its textile manufacturing industry, as well. The early needlework from Tver is lovely. The imagery has its roots in Slavic Folklore and Russian Mythology, where the bird was an important symbol with many meanings, including the sun, fire and fertility. Other meanings, and other types of birds, were incorporated with influence from Byzantium and Christianity. Although not as symbolic, the floral elements indeed play a commanding role in most embroidery compositions. Not unlike the crewelwork of Chester County, Pennsylvania, this embroidered picture has wonderful organic movement with the vining flowers stemming from a short pot flanked by two perched birds. The picture is finished nicely with an enclosed three-sided border, which is classic of this type of needlework. Originally this embroidery was made as a towel end for a ceremony such as marriage; however was later bound with woven, jacquard period ribbon with a leaf decoration. It has been conservation mounted and is in a contemporary frame. Samplers and needlework are our specialty. If you are interested in more of this type of work please visit our website, samplings.

Dimensions:
Height: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
Place of Origin:
Russia
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Late 19th Century
Condition:
Seller Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: U0907318583127