Flame Stitch and Cornucopia, Pair of 19th Century Schoolgirl Needlepoints on Homespun Linen with Puffed Borders folk art nutcracker with many of the forms

with many of the forms detailed on the lid of the box long since gone

rings and a little cracking here and there

hand-written in graphite: "Christmas 1917

and she looks quite like a bird

will all hair well secured with stiching or held by cut paper slats

Flame Stitch and Cornucopia, Pair of 19th Century Schoolgirl Needlepoints on Homespun Linen with Puffed Borders folk art nutcracker with many of the formsNever ever will I resist small woolen needleworks like this with these sorts of fluffed borders, these two I believe likely the work of a schoolgirl in the second half of the 19th century. Found pinned directly to the wall, which is just what I would do with them. So joyful, and electric feeling, and with the flame stitch one especially feeling to me perfectly poised to have a conversation with an abstract painting, modern or post modern or painted