Q8517 Homespun Wool and Turkeywork Folk Art
Dated November 1886 and initialed RAP
62 x 88
New Hampshire
$2,900

What an opportunity to acquire a purely original piece of textile folk art, signed and dated by the artist. In unused condition, two lengths of hand loomed wool homespun were seamed together to form this bedcover. There is a possibility that the wool was hand carded as well. Red, teal green and dark green wool yarn was then used to create the turkeywork embellishments. The designs were arranged in a general four square format, and consist of potted flowering plants and two buildings with four windows in each. We can conjecture on the symbolism of these designs; are the plants folk art Tree of Life symbols? Are the buildings perhaps schoolhouses used as symbols of learning, or perhaps representations of the maker’s home? On three sides of the coverlet, a 1 ½ inch fringe made from same wool yarn as used on the embellishments has been attached with red wool yarn fly stitching. This piece can be used as original art for the wall or a truly original folk art bedcovering for beds up to queen size.